PEOPLE with unwanted quality goods, can now support a Leicester charity by dropping them off at a recycling centre in the city, which is committed to reducing the amount that ends up in landfill.
The Reuse Shop at Leicester City Council’s Gypsum Close recycling site reopened last Monday (January 17) and is now accepting clean, saleable items – including small electrical items in working condition – that it can sell from its newly-refurbished premises.
The shop, which first opened in 2015 but closed during the pandemic, has reopened with a new charity partner on board: Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland.
Tony Donovan chief executive of the charity, said he was excited about the new venture, which is being undertaken in partnership with Leicester City Council.
“It’s an exciting development and we are confident the shop will raise much needed income that can be used for the benefit of local older people,” he said.
“We are looking for volunteers to help out in the shop, which is open seven days a week, and we’re also looking for goods to sell in the shop. If you have unwanted items in good condition, please drop them off at our new shop at the Gypsum Close recycling centre.”
Work to improve the premises got under way in November and as well as refurbishing the original shop, the city council is creating more space by significantly expanding the shop floor. A new workshop area is also being added, as well as areas for receiving and sorting donations.
While the refurbished shop has reopened, customers are advised that parking at the site will be limited until all the expansion works are completed in the spring.
Cllr Adam Clarke, deputy city mayor for the environment, said he was delighted to welcome Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland as the city council’s new charitable partner.
“I’m sure that this new venture will benefit us both,” he added.
“The Reuse Shop will generate valuable income for the charity, while its convenient location at our recycling site will encourage people to donate their unwanted items, instead of throwing them away. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that your unwanted goods could be valued and reused by someone else.
“We’re committed to preserving precious resources by reusing as much as possible and reducing the amount that ends up in landfill, so I’m very pleased that the reuse shop is back in business.”
The Reuse Shop is open every day from 9am to 5pm.
Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland is asking people to only donate items that are in saleable condition. Items donated to the reuse shop that cannot be sold will be recycled where possible.
People in Leicester with unwanted items that can’t be sold, passed on or donated to charity shops are encouraged to make use of the city’s recycling facilities to help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.
Anyone interested in finding our more about volunteering at the Reuse Shop can email volunteering@ageukleics.org.uk or call: 0116 246 1533.
