Timber recycling firm wins Manchester's heart

Timber recycling firm TRiM has won the New East Manchester (NEM) Heart Award for the positive impact it has made on the environment and local community.

TRiM, short for Timber Recycling in Manchester, offers reusable timber that would otherwise have been sent to landfill to community projects, low income individuals, small builders and local authorities at an affordable price.

The £2,000 prize money is to be spent on a larger truck and circular saw to improve TRiM’s operations, with award sponsor, regeneration consultancy firm arc4, providing five days' free consultancy for the company.

TRiM was established in 2004 by Rachel Wilson and John Poole to divert some of the thousands of tonnes of reusable timber destined for landfill each year. In the past 12 months it has rescued 280 tonnes of timber from landfill, as well as manufacturing planters for Manchester’s Christmas market and providing work experience for dozens of volunteers.

The NEM Heart Award is part of the EnterPrize Awards, which are organised by New East Manchester, Manchester solutions, New Deal for Communities and the Northwest Regional Development Agency to recognise enthusiasm, creativity and innovation in east Manchester.