We hosted a painting workshop at Southwark Adult Learning Services, but the story started much earlier...

Last year, we partnered with Southwark Adult Learning Services, providing a 10ft Christmas tree with a promise: we’d take it back and upcycle it.

In January, CIRCA waste removed the tree, processed it and took it across the road to our studio at Peckham Levels. Then ORNA transformed the timber into panels with primer on them ready to be painted on.

We then returned to the Southwark Adult Learning Services to host the workshop, where community members painted on the newly created panels. They didn’t just paint on the panels; they learned firsthand how their Christmas tree was transformed from a waste stream into a valuable material - a perfect example of our hyper-localised circular system operating entirely within a 500m radius in Southwark.

This is an example of how an overlooked waste stream can be reimagined and enjoyed by the local community!

We're excited to be partnering with Southwark College, sharing what we’ve learned about business in the green sector by introducing The ORNA Project - an initiative which has been incorporated into Southwark Colleges Business Level 1 curriculum.

Over the next few months, 30 learners will be put in groups of 5 and will cover topics such as Renewable Energy, Sustainable Fashion, Food Waste Reduction, Water Conservation, Green Transport and Circular Economy. During this time they will be working in their groups to create a green product or service.

Then in January, the teams will pitch their ideas to a panel featuring The ORNA team, Carbon Specialist David Culley and another Climate Tech Entrepreneur! The winning team will receive mentorship from the ORNA team and will recieve support to strengthen their application for programs like The King's Trust Enterprise Programme and Trampoline Launchpad.

The ORNA project is designed to ensure every student walks away with a better understanding of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, the vast amounts of opportunities in the green sector, and why climate action is important, especially for their generation!

ORNA was selected to showcase its innovative bio-composite material at the ReLondon Circular Innovation stand at The Recycling Expo 2025. The Recycling Expo is recognised as the UK's leading trade show for Recycling, Waste Management, and the Circular Economy.

Last year, ORNA, Tree Brothers and LSBU joined forces to give a 6ft Nordman Fir from Winter Wonderland a second life. Using ORNA’s innovative low-carbon process, they transformed this Christmas tree into natural baubles using entirely Christmas tree waste. This is the first project in how ORNA aims to create a more circular economy.