Forum Topic

£400m of reusable products thrown out in UK per year

http://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/textiles/lga-report-slams-waste-of-reusable-productsI've seen some fabulous upcycled stuff in the The Old Cinema on Chiswick High Road and there used to be some in the shop Eco on CHR too.We had an upcycled Christmas Tree which was rather controversial in Ealing last Christmas...We're lucky to have the very useful British Heart Foundation second hand furniture shop in West Ealing and there are quite a few other charity shops.We have a good kerbside recycling system, and local recycling banks though how much is actually reused we don't know.Hurray for the new small electrical recycling banks, but if your electricals are still working and you just don't want them any more why not take them to the British Heart Foundation shop?  They have to be tested before they can be re-sold.

Philippa Bond ● 4388d3 Comments

It is so nice to just have to walk down the road to put the little electrical items that don't and which I am resigned won't work any more without a lot more effort eg an old iron that kept turning all the electricity off and a stick mixer which burnt itself out (or maybe it was me).  No longer waiting for a trip to Stirling Road.Electrical things that do work can be sold eg at the British Heart Foundation shop once they have been checked over and PAT tested.http://www.bhf.org.uk/shop/our-local-shops/furniture-and-electrical-shops.aspx

Philippa Bond ● 4383d

Yes, if you go to the West London Waste website and look under furniture it is listed along with six others - with a brief resume. Funnily enough the BHF isn't listed.The William Wilberforce Trust also looks very interesting in that it provides valuable employment opportunities and skills too.http://westlondonwaste.gov.uk/Acorn isn't listed.  Tell us more.

Philippa Bond ● 4387d

The 'Ealing Debacle' (sorry Christmas tree) was hardly upcycled (if that is actually a word). The bottles were purchased specifically for the task and the frame was custom made from new metal. Apart from that it fits the criteria splendidly.Don't forget the 'extended' recyclers  though like Acorn and the Re-use project in Hayes which not only recycle but provide valuable employment opportunities to those who might not otherwise have them.

Nigel Brooks ● 4387d