Posted on the 19th November 2024
Choosing to shop secondhand instead of buying new is a great way to save money, but it also comes with a range of other social and environmental benefits too.
In the run up to Buy Nothing New Day on 29 November, we’re shining a spotlight on some of our amazing members and the work they do in helping to protect the environment, support their local communities, and promoting a circular economy.
We caught up with Nicola Rossiter, Reuse Operations Manager, at Wastesavers, to learn how their organisation is helping people, planet, and pocket.
Wastesavers is a reuse and recycling charity in South Wales, providing affordable furniture to low-income families, diverting reusable goods from landfill and delivering social projects including volunteering, education, and employability.
They collect donations of furniture, electricals and IT in order to raise funds to support some of the most disadvantaged members the local community, tackle poverty, protect the local environment and improve the prospects of the city of Newport.
They have 10 shops, 6 in household recycling centres in Cardiff, Llantrisant, Maesteg, Newport, Roseheyworth and Treherbert. They also have high street outlets in Aberdare, Newport and Pentrebach.
Their 174 volunteers are an integral part of the organisation, says Nicola, “We couldn’t do what we do without them! For some our shops provide a vital way out of social isolation; for others it’s a step in their career path. One third of the paid staff in our reuse operations were volunteers with us.”
Wastesavers also provide vital support for young people excluded from mainstream education, through their Peak education project. Nicola explains, ‘They learn practical skills like plumbing and cooking but still accredited. We host pupils excluded from schools in Newport, Cardiff and Torfaen, helping them prepare for the world of work.”
Wastesavers operate a fee collection service (at selected outlets) for people wanting to get rid of larger items of furniture such as sofas, beds, or cabinets, but also welcomes people to drop off their unwanted items at one of its 10 re-use shops located across Cardiff, the Valleys and Newport.
“Last year, we managed to prevent tens of thousands of household items, totalling over 620 tonnes, from ending up in skips”, says Nicola.
“At two of our locations, we operate a Library of Things, encouraging people to borrow
not buy new on items they may only use a few times a year. Additionally, we offer a nappy library service. We also host two repair cafes across two local authorities, encouraging individuals to fix items instead of buying replacements.
We accept IT equipment from both the public and businesses, aiming to reuse as many items as possible by even breaking them down into their component parts, and recycling those that cannot be reused.”
Wastesavers are well supported in the local community, thanks to donations from local residents. Nicola notes, ‘We are really lucky with the amount of donations we get offered and this means we can offer great prices on all our items. One of the main aims of our organisation is to ensure good quality items are available at an affordable price to our local communities’.
“Our poverty alleviation work is focused on providing people in need with items donated to our nine retail outlets. We donate to local support agencies such as the council’s foster teams, schools, social workers – if we have it, we’ll normally give it!”
Nicola is keen to encourage as many people as possible to support Buy Nothing New Day. She says, “Preloved shopping is really important because it is better for the environment and your pocket! Pop down to one of our shops to see what unique bargains you can find, you don’t want another mass-produced item, you want a one of a kind steal!”
To find your nearest Wastesavers reuse shop, visit their website.
Want to take part in Buy Nothing New Day? Download your campaign pack and find your local reuse charity using our search tool.
Find out more about Buy Nothing New Day
This Buy Nothing New Day, we’re encouraging people to support their local reuse charity and choose secondhand when the urge to purchase new reaches its peak at this time of year. By opting for preloved...
Wednesday 27th November 2024
