Brand-new reuse shop offers savvy way of saving money

Blackburn Household Waste Recycling Centre now has an added reuse shop, where residents can donate or buy preloved items.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have partnered with Suez recycling and recover UK to offer residents of the borough another option to get rid of unwanted items, whilst also allowing the opportunity to buy something brand new at a fraction of the price.

The shop is a fantastic addition to the existing options to dispose of unwanted items at the borough’s two household waste and recycling centres (HWRC’s) and supports the councils aims to increase recycling rates. By extending the life of items, this lowers the need for brand new materials to be used.

SUEZ, who run the HWRC on behalf of the council, donate to several charities including The Children’s Storehouse and Nightsafe, meaning the shop will also support the local community.

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Resident Services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: We’re really pleased to be able to offer a brand-new option for residents of the borough to dispose of items that might have otherwise been thrown away.

 Having the Reuse Shop will not only mean that there’s a suitable outlet for items that are in good condition but also gives the opportunity to others to buy them at a much lower cost than they would usually be. This fits with our ambition to deliver our climate emergency action plan, by allowing more items to be recycled, rather than potentially being sent to landfill.

 I look forward to seeing residents use the shop to its full potential.

Victoria Crabtree, Regional Manager at SUEZ, said: The new reuse shop is a simple but effective way of cutting waste. Every item sold here is something that hasn’t been thrown away and hasn’t needed to be replaced with something new.

By working with Blackburn with Darwen Council, we are making it easier for residents to donate items they no longer need and for others to pick up good quality, affordable goods, while also supporting the council’s sustainability goals.

To visit the shop, head to Blackburn HWRC on George Street West by car. The shop is open every day from 10am to 2pm, except Wednesdays. Proof of address will need to be shown in the form of a council tax letter, utility bill or ID.