Combining circularity and social change, a recycling initiative in London has taken six tonnes of seized knives off the streets and turned dangerous weapons into free outdoor gym equipment for public workouts.
To put this tonnage in context, there were as many as 50,500 sharp instrument offences in 2024 in England and Wales alone (excluding Greater Manchester).
Worse still, when it comes to the latest homicide statistics, the most common method of killing was once again by sharp instrument (including knives), which accounted for almost half of all victims (46%).
In total, there were 262 homicides committed using a knife or other sharp instrument recorded in the year ending March 2024 — an increase of 8% compared with the previous year (243 offences).
In response, leading sustainable materials specialist EMR is working with anti-knife crime charity Steel Warriors to melt down knives taken off the streets and recycle the steel into outdoor street gyms.
By fostering positive activities, Steel Warriors aims to build stronger, safer communities across the UK.
For EMR, this partnership aligns with company commitments to deliver positive social impact, whilst supporting responsible reuse of materials, contributing to a circular and resource-efficient future.
From danger and violence to safety and wellbeing
Founded in 2017, Steel Warriors repurposes melted-down knives to build free public gyms, offering young people safe, positive spaces to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Through street workout, Steel Warriors helps young people affected by crime, violence, and social exclusion build the skills and confidence they need to shape positive futures.
Its vision is to see more young lives are built on steel, not destroyed by it.
Turning dangerous weapons of violence into community assets, the charity has already established four gyms across London, plus one in Brixton Prison, and aims to expand further this year with EMR’s support.
The ongoing nature of their partnership is important, says Jenny Oklikah, Chief Executive at Steel Warriors:
“EMR’s specialist expertise in helping turn knives into gyms together with their commitment to social change, means Steel Warriors can support more young people and communities, not just now but in years to come.”
Real and positive impact at local level
The knives were shredded at EMR’s Willesden site and will be sent to a specialist foundry in Stourbridge, in the West Midlands, to be crafted into gym equipment.
EMR provided its services free of charge, saving the charity significant costs and ensuring project success.
The initiative delivers real impact at local level, explains Damian Tambling, Site Manager at EMR Willesden:
“Everyone here at EMR Willesden – including myself – lives in the local communities around the site. We all want to play our part in making the streets safer for our loved ones. Working with Steel Warriors is an incredible opportunity for us to feel even more connected to our communities.”
EMR will continue its support to help to inspire change and resilience in communities around the country.
Net zero end to material extraction
EMR is a global leader in sustainable materials with physical operations in the UK, USA, Germany, and the Netherlands. The group recycles around 10 million tonnes of metal and plastics each year — anything from a can to an aircraft carrier. This saves over 15 million tonnes of CO2 compared to virgin ore.
EMR works with industry, government and the general public to turn end-of-life materials, including consumer products and vehicles, plus materials from construction and demolition, into valuable resources.
The aim is to create a future where materials we use do not need to be extracted from the planet.
The business has also committed to becoming fully net zero by 2040, investing in energy productivity, low-carbon and nature-positive technology, plus innovating new products to help customers cut emissions.
Further Reading:
- More about is anti-knife crime charity Steel Warriors;
- More about sustainable materials specialist EMR;
- Also on SustMeme, European can recycling programme expands into US;
- Also on SustMeme, Time to repower and reprocess old wind turbines (also from EMR);
- Also on SustMeme, First all-electric truck for Amsterdam metal recyclers (also from EMR);
- Also on SustMeme, First carbon-free recycling plant for steel;
- Also on SustMeme, Circular economy strategies can cut global emissions by 39%.
Check out the full archive of stories on the SustMeme Circular Economy Channel, now available to Sponsor.
