Innovative recycling initiatives are supporting communities and supporting a range of charities across Staffordshire by raising thousands of pounds.
Across Staffordshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), the reuse initiatives make ensure nothing goes to waste and supports people with cost-of-living pressures in addition to raising much-needed funds.
They include the award-winning Care Leavers Hub, which supplies care leavers with good quality used furniture and household items to set up home. The hub allows young people leaving care to choose from a wide range of items all provided free of charge. Furniture and other items have all been donated by residents to the county’s HWRCs. The project not only helps the young people save money but also provides emotional reassurance in what is a major change in their lives.
Good quality used bikes are refurbished and either donated to schools or the county council’s employment service. Where bikes can’t be refurbished, their parts can be used again to repair other bikes. The county council is working with bike and motoring retailer Halfords and HM Prison Service to refurbish used bikes for community use.
Unwanted IT equipment can be refurbished and used to support a range of charities. Hard drives are securely destroyed, and any faults are repaired so the devices can be safely reused. Medical aids can also be refurbished and reused. And anyone wanting to do small DIY jobs are reminded that paint is available too which has been opened but only partially used, while unused paint can be left there.
The team also works with Staffordshire schools – donating good quality sports and music equipment.
All good quality items at the team’s Rescue Me pop-up sales events which are held across the county. Any good quality item can be sold there. During the last financial year, over £17,000 was raised over 111 events for community organisations and charities.
For all the latest news and Rescue Me events people should follow the team’s Waste Savvy Staffs Facebook page.
Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity at Staffordshire County Council, said:
We have some fantastic reuse initiatives at our household waste recycling centres – where items can be used again or sold to generate funds for our charities and community organisations.
For example, by reusing good-quality furniture and household items donated by our residents for our care leavers, we’re not only reducing waste but also making it a little easier for young people in setting up in a new home. Bikes can be refurbished to benefit young people and charities supported where people pick up bargains at our sales events. And IT equipment and medical aids can also be put to good use.
Our waste and recycling team has been innovative in how it’s reusing good quality items to benefit everyone in our communities, in addition to really demonstrating efficiency by working closely with other council services.”
