Supermarket to Spectacle: How 22 Trolleys Became Sustainable Carnival Floats
What do 22 Tesco shopping trolleys, a group of dedicated students, a team of Amazon volunteers, and a vision for a greener carnival have in common?
The answer: they came together to create one of our most ambitious and environmentally conscious carnival projects yet.
As part of our Green Futures initiative, we’ve been reimagining what carnival floats can be. This year, that meant leaving behind heavy, fuel-powered vehicles and turning instead to something simpler, smarter, and far more sustainable.
Reclaiming the Trolley: A New Kind of Float
Thanks to the generosity of Tesco, who kindly donated 22 shopping trolleys, we were able to start with an unusual but perfect foundation for a low-carbon float.
Each trolley became a mini mobile platform, transformed into a float that could be pushed by hand completely eliminating the carbon emissions associated with traditional parade vehicles.
But more than that, each one became a canvas for creative reuse.
Recycled Materials, Reinvented Magic
We dug deep into our storage and pulled out:
Old costume pieces from previous years
Leftover materials from past floats
Discarded cardboard, wire, fabric, tubing, foam, and plastics and anything else we could get our hands on.
Then, with a commitment to waste nothing, we redesigned, repainted, rebuilt giving each trolley a second life as part of a vibrant, moving piece of art.
Powered by People: Students & Volunteers
This project was a true community collaboration.
We were thrilled to welcome work experience students from local schools, who rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with the design, build, and decoration of the trolley floats. Their ideas, energy, and commitment to sustainability helped shape every detail.
We were also joined by a brilliant group of Amazon volunteers, who supported the building process and just as importantly helped push the floats on carnival day, becoming part of the live parade itself.
Together, they transformed what could’ve been waste into carnival magic and walked the talk of environmental responsibility in action.
A Parade Without Pollution
The trolley floats weren’t just visually impressive they were quiet, clean, and completely self-powered.
By removing the need for engines, generators, or trailers, we took a huge step toward our vision of a zero-emission carnival. The result: a celebration that didn’t just look good, but felt good too knowing it left behind joy, not pollution.
Why It Matters
This project is at the heart of what our Greener Futures mission is all about:
Reusing what we already have
Reducing waste
Rethinking how art and celebration can support the planet
Every float made from a trolley was proof that creativity and sustainability aren’t separate goals they’re stronger together.
Thank You
Huge thanks to:
Tesco, for their generous donation of 22 trolleys
The local schools and students who worked so hard to transform them
The amazing Amazon volunteers who helped build, push, and parade
Everyone who cheered them on and shared the moment
We’re excited to keep pushing sustainable creatively toward a greener carnival, and a greener future.
