It's the ultimate form of recycling, a young Norwich entrepreneur offering to share his knowledge in ways to reuse waste and help the environment.

Norwich Eco Award winner Joe Ray is about to launch his new officially accredited course in tackling waste and supporting recycling.

The course, an OCN Level 1 certificate in the subject, will start in Great Yarmouth in November this year and in Norwich at the beginning of 2012.

An open day will be held next month, giving individuals, communities, business leaders and councillors the opportunity to find out more.

Mr Ray, 26, who won the eco hero category at this year's Norwich Eco Awards, said: 'People understand the issue of waste and recycling but don't really understand how they can do something about it.

'It's about changing people's mentality. It's a way of life; what's waste to one man, isn't to the next.' The former City of Norwich School pupil has been running his own waste and recycling business, Boss Recycling, for nine years. He opened Hidden Treasure, an outlet for reclaimed, repaired and revitalised goods, seven months ago and is now offering the course as part of the Boss Foundation.

The course for over-16s, accredited by the Blue Cat Initiative, will run over 15 weekly sessions of two hours.

Subjects covered include how to sort rubbish, how to identify if something can be easily repaired and how to complete simple repairs.

The cost of the course will depend on the uptake. Some free places have been made available through lottery funding.

Mr Ray, who lives above the Plumstead Road shop and has completed a teacher's training course, said: 'It's about teaching people new skills, helping people to make a bit of money and reducing waste at the same time. I know about waste inside out and started as one man in a van. I want to prove this course can work and take it around the country.'

To find out about the OCN Level 1 certificate in Tackling Waste and Supporting Recycling, email bossfoundation@mail.com

The open day will be held on October 7. The venue is yet to be confirmed.

Are you pioneering a project to help the environment? Call Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk