A new exhibition at the Museum of London is highlighting an entrepreneurial waste-saving idea by Caroline Keppel-Palmer, that makes it easy for museums to recycle unwanted items.
Since the launch of Museum Freecycle in 2014, when it was the first industry freecycle group in the world, it’s grown into a well-oiled machine serving museums, galleries and science centres UK-wide.
Keppel-Palmer used to work for a design and architecture studio and noticed that when temporary exhibitions closed, the equipment was often thrown out.
“Showcases, plinths and mannequins worth thousands and sometimes even tens of thousands of pounds were being thrown away simply because museums lacked the space to store them,” says Keppel-Palmer.
By posting items on the dedicated area of the Freecycle website, museums allow other attractions to get the equipment they need at no cost. Keppel-Palmer has seen everything from display cases and furniture to a fibreglass cow and a Victorian Courtroom dock change hands on the site.
“Recently, the volunteer-run Bloxham Village Museum replaced their homemade donations jam jar with a beautiful purpose built donation box from the Natural History Museum, which they sourced through Freecycle,” says Keppel-Palmer.
The 650-member group has helped the museum sector become more sustainable and as it’s managed voluntarily by Keppel-Palmer, it’s free to users and the taxpayer.
“By diverting waste to productive use, it is improving efficiency and saving museum budgets. Since its inception, Museum Freecycle has given a second lease of life to many hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of museum items,” she says.
The exhibition, The City is Ours, looks at the way modern cities are changing and what global urban communities are doing to improve city life. Museum Freecycle is one of 25 innovative projects chosen by the Museum of London for the exhibit.
“It’s an honour to be a part of The City is Ours,” Keppel-Palmer says.“Curator Foteini Aravani compiled a list of projects – from sustainable food schemes to state-of-the-art technological ventures – that are working towards the sustainability of London. Foteini purposely selected projects that are in their infancy and immediate in their impact. Foteini chose to feature Museum Freecycle as an example of how we can help one another within a particular field.”
The City is Ours runs from 14 July to 2 January 2018. Keppel-Palmer also runs Museum Bookstore, which is an online store specialising in museum and exhibition publications.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is working on a magical destination resort in Hunan Province, China.
Founders Natasha Varnica and Dan Thomas walk us through the fairytale experience
Science centres: Sparks Fly
The Wolf Museum of Exploration +
Innovation (MOXI) is a brand new science
centre in Santa Barbara, with a refreshing
approach. CEO Steve Hinkley tells all
Theme parks: Speed Demons
PortAventura’s COO Mark Robinson on the
company’s latest investment – Ferrari Land
Promotional feature: Simworx
UK-based attractions manufacturer Simworx is building on its global
portfolio with a range of new projects in Dubai, China and Spain
Attractions: That’s the Spirit
Jameson’s visitor experience centre has
been revamped by BRC Imagination
Arts. Tom Anstey went to Dublin and
talked to the team about the project
Promotional feature: FORREC
FORREC has worked with some of the world’s
most recognisable characters and IPs. Here Steven Rhys
shares some tips on bringing those cherished worlds to life
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
A new exhibition at the Museum of London is highlighting an entrepreneurial waste-saving idea by Caroline Keppel-Palmer, that makes it easy for museums to recycle unwanted items.
Since the launch of Museum Freecycle in 2014, when it was the first industry freecycle group in the world, it’s grown into a well-oiled machine serving museums, galleries and science centres UK-wide.
Keppel-Palmer used to work for a design and architecture studio and noticed that when temporary exhibitions closed, the equipment was often thrown out.
“Showcases, plinths and mannequins worth thousands and sometimes even tens of thousands of pounds were being thrown away simply because museums lacked the space to store them,” says Keppel-Palmer.
By posting items on the dedicated area of the Freecycle website, museums allow other attractions to get the equipment they need at no cost. Keppel-Palmer has seen everything from display cases and furniture to a fibreglass cow and a Victorian Courtroom dock change hands on the site.
“Recently, the volunteer-run Bloxham Village Museum replaced their homemade donations jam jar with a beautiful purpose built donation box from the Natural History Museum, which they sourced through Freecycle,” says Keppel-Palmer.
The 650-member group has helped the museum sector become more sustainable and as it’s managed voluntarily by Keppel-Palmer, it’s free to users and the taxpayer.
“By diverting waste to productive use, it is improving efficiency and saving museum budgets. Since its inception, Museum Freecycle has given a second lease of life to many hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of museum items,” she says.
The exhibition, The City is Ours, looks at the way modern cities are changing and what global urban communities are doing to improve city life. Museum Freecycle is one of 25 innovative projects chosen by the Museum of London for the exhibit.
“It’s an honour to be a part of The City is Ours,” Keppel-Palmer says.“Curator Foteini Aravani compiled a list of projects – from sustainable food schemes to state-of-the-art technological ventures – that are working towards the sustainability of London. Foteini purposely selected projects that are in their infancy and immediate in their impact. Foteini chose to feature Museum Freecycle as an example of how we can help one another within a particular field.”
The City is Ours runs from 14 July to 2 January 2018. Keppel-Palmer also runs Museum Bookstore, which is an online store specialising in museum and exhibition publications.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is working on a magical destination resort in Hunan Province, China.
Founders Natasha Varnica and Dan Thomas walk us through the fairytale experience
Science centres: Sparks Fly
The Wolf Museum of Exploration +
Innovation (MOXI) is a brand new science
centre in Santa Barbara, with a refreshing
approach. CEO Steve Hinkley tells all
Theme parks: Speed Demons
PortAventura’s COO Mark Robinson on the
company’s latest investment – Ferrari Land
Promotional feature: Simworx
UK-based attractions manufacturer Simworx is building on its global
portfolio with a range of new projects in Dubai, China and Spain
Attractions: That’s the Spirit
Jameson’s visitor experience centre has
been revamped by BRC Imagination
Arts. Tom Anstey went to Dublin and
talked to the team about the project
Promotional feature: FORREC
FORREC has worked with some of the world’s
most recognisable characters and IPs. Here Steven Rhys
shares some tips on bringing those cherished worlds to life
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
