Furnishing an environmental need
A furniture reuse scheme, which takes quality second-hand furniture and gets it to households who need it, is proving more and more popular.
In fact, in its first year of operation the 2nd Chance Furniture Re-Use Project based in Weddington in Nuneaton, has prevented more than 100 tonnes of potential furniture waste going to landfill.
This week is Recycle Week, but one way of being even more environmentally-friendly is through re-use, where no energy is required to recycle the items, they simply get used again.
The scheme is supported by Warwickshire Waste Partnership, of which Warwickshire County Council is a member, and works by residents ringing in to the project to find out if the project wants the item of furniture, (furniture should be in a good state, otherwise it is turned down).
The collection is made and the project asks for a collection donation of £5 to help with the cost of collection. It would cost the resident £15 or more for collection by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council as part of the bulky waste service.
The same applies for delivery, a donation is asked for, with the cost of the sale.
It operates across the north of the county, and the scheme has been supporting the reduction of waste going into the waste stream.
Warwickshire County Council agreed to finance the renting of a warehouse over a 3 year period in Weddington Terrace, Nuneaton.
Items are sold to the general public, and this income helps to financially support the overall scheme. The county council is also looking for second hand vehicles suitable for the scheme and seeking further sponsorship.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Chair of the Warwickshire Waste Partnership, said: “Local authorities are always looking at new ways of encouraging residents to reuse and recycle where possible, and this project has start to make great in roads into support the reduction of waste, as well as support those most in need.”
The scheme operates from a large warehouse in Weddington Terrace and is open to the public from Monday to Friday (9.30am-4.00pm) with ‘late night’ opening on Tuesdays and Saturday morning opening on the second Saturday in each month.
As well as diverting waste from landfill the scheme has also enabled many individuals to get started in their first homes without incurring excessive amounts of debt. For more information on 2nd Chance contact Peter Whitehead on 024 7632 6189.