AN ENVIRONMENTAL "hub" on Bournemouth seafront is finally set to open – nearly a year later than planned.
BCP Council's as-yet unnamed Seaside Environmental Hub at Durley Chine will open its doors on Friday, February 10.
The beach-based venue, made with one eye on the environment and from old wooden seaside defences and wood from a German shipyard, will handle 2,000 tonnes of waste and litter from local beaches.
The main building is built to Passivhaus standards, an internationally recognised standard for buildings that are highly energy efficient, and features a green roof to support greater biodiversity.
Read more: Launch date for Durley Chine hub pushed back again
To reduce plastic waste on site, the kiosk will not sell any products wrapped in single use plastic and will use returnable cups instead – a model the council will trial to then roll out across its other seafront catering sites if successful.
Funded with £2.4million from the Coastal Communities Fund, the hub’s opening was delayed mainly due to complications around Covid, material shortages and disrupted supply chains which have affected some of the specialist elements of the build.
Councillor Mark Anderson, cabinet member for the environment, said: “I’m delighted this incredible building has now been finished and welcome all to come and enjoy the kiosk with its stunning views of the sea.
“I look forward to when we can bring the venue to life as a lively education space for all to enjoy, but till then we remain committed to creating a low impact tourist destination for everyone to benefit from.”
Welfare facilities will be also be provided for the cleaning team, who start on site at 3am in the summer months to rake the beaches on tractors and litter pick before visitors arrive.
Cllr Anderson said: “We had 400 more bins along the coastline, stepped up litter collections and trialled initiatives such as toy libraries, where children’s beach toys could be recycled and reused.
“We also trialled coffee reuse schemes at two BCP owned cafe and cigarette ‘ballot bins’, which engaged smokers with provocative questions and asked them to cast a 'vote' with their cigarette butt.”
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