Wales’s former Environment Minister and Assembly Member for Newport East, John Griffiths AM, officially opened Wastesavers’ new Reuse Centre in Newport yesterday (23 October).

Based in Phoenix Park, the new centre will not only be handling unwanted household furniture and white goods for reuse, but will also house the Wastesavers IT project, E-Inclusion Recycling CIC, supplying fully tested used IT equipment to the community.

All furniture and equipment collected through the recycling charity’s free collection service, and any stock donated to the reuse charity, will be cleaned, tested and refurbished/repaired (where necessary) at the centre, before being put up for sale.

Speaking to Resource after the launch, Griffiths said: “I was very pleased to open the Wastesavers Reuse Centre which is a very significant development delivering environmental, social and economic benefits. Rather than unwanted furniture, electrical and white goods being dumped or finding their way to landfill they are sold to the local community at very reasonable prices – welcome during hard times. Computers are also available helping people to be part of the digital age. And the jobs and volunteering opportunities are a further important benefit.”

Penny Goodwin, CEO of Wastesavers, added: “We’re really excited about this new centre. We are now collecting more quality furniture than ever before, and having the Wastesavers IT programme in the same building is also a great advantage for our customers and our social programmes.”

“The Reuse Centre is much more than just about getting a bargain, there is a strong social and environmental side to the work going on here.”

Social programme launch

Finding a Way aims to help people with longer-term health problems to find work again, while Digital World is an IT programme for the over 50s to develop their computer and technology skills.

Emily Cottrell, Social Programmes Coordinator at Wastesavers, explained: “Sometimes when people have longer-term problems they can start to think they will never get work again. This programme will give them a chance to have a go at all aspects of the business we run here, from customer service to testing electrical equipment, in a no-pressure atmosphere. It will give participants the confidence to try something new and consider paid work as an option again.”

She continued: “Our aim [with Digital World] is to help people get over the fear factor many over 50s face when it comes to computers. We will run it as a six-week programme, starting with one-to-one sessions in basic computer skills. By the end of the six weeks, they will be able to search and apply for jobs online.”

The Wastesavers Reuse Centre can be found at Phoenix Park on Telford St (off Corporation Road) in Newport, South Wales.

The centre is open Mondays to Fridays between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm.

Find out more about the Wastesavers Reuse Centre or read Resource’s feature on E-Inclusion Recycling CIC.