BBC allotment guru Terry Walton has called on all local authorities to install reuse shops at household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) at the opening of a reuse shop at Llantrisant Recycling Centre in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.
The shop on the site of Lllantrisant 100% Recycling Centre will be known as the ‘Shed’ and sell items that would have previously been dumped in skips and sent to landfill. In an attempt to encourage waste reduction and re-use, each skip at the site will bear a sign reading: ‘Good enough to reuse? Donate it to the Shed’.
All profits generated by the new re-use shop will be evenly shared between Wastesavers, a waste and recycling organisation that funds environmental and community projects, and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
Walton, a regular contributor on allotments and organic growing to the BBC Radio Two Jeremy Vine Show, has come out as a strong supporter of re-use shops.
Speaking at the opening of the Shed, Walton said: “We all throw away far too much stuff that could be reused. Many people would prefer their unwanted items go to a good home but don’t want the hassle of selling them.
“This shop is brilliant, it’s like a seven day a week car boot sale. To think that all this would have gone into landfill is criminal. Every recycling centre and tip should have one.”
Commenting on the new shop, Penny Goodwin (CEO of Wastesavers) said: “We are confident that this shop is going to be a huge success – it’s already almost full with less than one week of donations. We’ve created two jobs here as well as helping reduce items going to landfill.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, added: “This fantastic concept will see everyday items recycled and put to good use, and help us reach our recycling targets. It’s an excellent addition to our impressive recycling facility in here Llantrisant.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
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