Re-use project issues urgent call for quality donations

Residents are used to donating quality items for re-sale as part of a visit to the recycling centre in Bury St Edmunds but since the re-opening, following the coronavirus, the re-use shop has seen a decline in the donation of good quality, pre-loved items that can be re-sold to benefit those in need.

Rory Brien, general manager of Materials Trading at FCC Environment speaks on behalf of the partnership between FCC, Suffolk County Council and The Benjamin Foundation.

He said: “We were delighted to be able to re-open to the public and residents are indeed coming back to ‘bag a bargain’ but we have seen a real drop in the volume of good quality items which we can make available in the shops.

“How residents donate has changed due to Covid of course, for example, people need to book a slot to visit the recycling centre and we can’t aid with unloading of cars for the safety of the public and of our staff. In addition, donations can’t be made directly but there is a clearly marked re-use area at all of our 11 recycling centers across Suffolk where pre-loved items can be left and we promise they will be given a good new home, and will contribute towards providing vitals services within Suffolk.”

The Re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds, along with its sister site at Foxhall, near Ipswich, are part of a partnership between Suffolk County Council, waste and recycling partner FCC Environment and charity partner The Benjamin Foundation. Working with other local charities The Benjamin Foundation, deliver services throughout Suffolk, and the Re-use shops play an important part in helping to raise vital funds to facilitate these services, alongside reducing waste and increasing recycling in the county.

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