From Henry to Harvest: A Circular Economy In Bloom

What do you do with decommissioned appliances? You could recycle them, but at JR&Co, we saw an opportunity to do something more. We decided to give them a brand-new purpose, and in doing so, we created a greener space for our team and demonstrated our commitment to the circular economy and sustainable cleaning. This is the story of our Henry Garden Project.

We took old, retired Henry vacuum cleaners and gave them a second life as unique planters for our Battersea head office backyard. This simple idea allowed us to breathe new life into old tech, transforming a waste challenge into a source of nourishment and joy. It’s an idea that successfully diverted over 30 vacuums from the waste stream with a minimal investment of under £50.

The project was made possible by the hands-on work of Carlos and Bladimir, who meticulously cleaned and prepared the Henrys, drilling drainage holes and setting them up with compost. From these upcycled planters, the team at head office has grown a variety of edible plants, including spinach, tomatoes, and strawberries, as well as beautiful sunflowers and bee-pollinating wildflowers. The project has not only made our outdoor area more vibrant but has also supported biodiversity and helped reduce the need for single-use plastic plant pots.

This is more than just a garden; it’s a living example of our commitment to sustainability and our B Corp values. We’re proud to announce that the Henry Garden Project has been recognised with a prestigious Green Apple Award, celebrating our work in environmental best practice. It’s one of two Green Apple awards we’ve won this year, along with an award for our waste management project, and we couldn’t be more proud of our team.

If you’d like to find out how our team can help you contribute to the circular economy, please get in touch.