Queensgate Turns Waste into Wonder This May Half Term!

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Queensgate Turns Waste into Wonder This May Half Term!

Looking for something fun, FREE, and feel-good to do with the kids this May half term? Queensgate Shopping Centre are inviting everyone to dive into a world of eco-creativity with a brand-new campaign: From Waste to Wonder, running from Monday 26 May to Saturday 1 June. It’s all about discovering the magic of recycling, reusing, […]

Fri 9 May Blog

Looking for something fun, FREE, and feel-good to do with the kids this May half term?

Queensgate Shopping Centre are inviting everyone to dive into a world of eco-creativity with a brand-new campaign: From Waste to Wonder, running from Monday 26 May to Saturday 1 June.

It’s all about discovering the magic of recycling, reusing, and reimagining!

What’s On?

Throughout the week, Queensgate will be buzzing with exciting interactive workshops, eco installations, and plenty of hands-on activities for all ages to inspire sustainability.

Here's a sneak peek at some of the highlights:

Tuesday 27 May: Plastic Bottle Bird Feeders & Egg Box Planters

Children can transform their old plastic bottles into beautiful bird feeders. This not only helps local wildlife but also gives plastic bottles a second life.

There will also be an opportunity to turn an egg box into a mini herb planter. These nifty little gardens are perfect for children to manage as their own project, and they also help support pollinators, reduce food waste, and improve the air we breathe.

Wednesday 28 May: Bag for Life Workshop + Artist Q&A

What’s more sustainable than a bag for life? This May half-term at Queensgate, children can get creative by designing their very own tote bag, perfect for those unexpected trips to Tesco when you realise you’ve forgotten your reusable bag (again!).

Even better, the tote bags we provide are made from recycled materials. Not only will you leave with a stylish, eco-friendly creation, but your child will also earn their very own Queensgate Recycling Hero certificate. It’s a win for creativity, and for the planet!

Stick around for an Artist Q&A where young eco-artists can share ideas for a community art installation made entirely from rubbish. It’s art, with a purpose!

Thursday 29 May: Love Food, Hate Waste Zone

Explore how to make a difference in the kitchen with the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ zone.

Spin the Wheel of Waste for clever eco tips and tricks
Share your best waste-saving recipes on our community board
Play composting games like Guess the Compost Time
Bring a food donation to support local food banks and make a real difference

ReCycle Point:

Got empty cereal boxes, clean cans, or egg cartons at home? Bring them along to the ReCycle Point, an interactive drop-off station where your “rubbish” becomes part of something magical. Watch as donated items are turned into real-time workshop creations and see the environmental impact grow with every contribution!

What are our retailers doing to help with recycling?

A variety of Queensgate’s popular retailers offer exclusive rewards for shoppers who choose sustainable practices. Here are some fantastic offers you won’t want to miss:

H&M: Bring in old clothes to recycle and get a £5 voucher to spend in-store.

Blacksheep Coffee: Bring your own reusable cup and enjoy a discount on your drink, good for your wallet and the planet!

Costa Coffee – Bring a reusable cup and get 25p off your drink—simple, sustainable, and rewarding.

Schuh: Recycle your old shoes and earn a £5 voucher to spend in-store.

Superdrug – Recycle your empty medicine blister packs here! In partnership with leading brands, Superdrug helps give these hard-to-recycle items a second life.

River Island: Donate old clothing items and receive a £5 voucher to use in-store.

Boots: Get 500 Advantage Points with your Boots Advantage Card when you bring back empty beauty or wellness products.

Lush: Return 5 clean black pots and receive a free face mask! Fun fact—Lush shows how many times your packaging has been recycled.

The Perfume Shop: Get 15% off when you bring back empty perfume bottles for recycling.

The Fragrance Shop – Return your empty perfume bottles and receive 15% off your next fragrance purchase as part of their recycling initiative.

O2: Trade in your old devices for cash or credit.

EE: Recycle your old mobile phones or electronics and receive money back.

These eco-friendly deals are a fantastic way to refresh your wardrobe or beauty routine while reducing your environmental footprint.

Join us at Queensgate Shopping Centre this May half-term for a fun-filled day the whole family will enjoy! With a variety of exciting activities for everyone, plus the brand-new ODEON cinema and Putt & Play to keep the kids entertained, you can easily spend the entire day at Queensgate.

Take a break and refuel at one of our many fantastic eateries, including Turtle Bay and Tap and Tandoor. You’ll leave feeling inspired, and ready to help turn waste into all kinds of wonder!