Improvements and achievements of the furniture scheme
The Richmond Furniture Reuse Scheme, has been operating a collection and delivery service to Borough residents for 16 years. As an active member of the regional network of furniture reuse charities, the project aims to collect unwanted furniture from households with the intention of redistribution to families and single persons living in poor or inadequate conditions. At the same time we are saving good items from going to landfill.
Last year the Project collected 4300 items of furniture - thus saving approximately 130 tonnes from the waste stream.
We cannot sustain our current throwaway lifestyle and need to reassess what we do with our waste. It is estimated that up to 1000 tonnes of furniture may be thrown away each year in Richmond. Beds, wardrobes, chest of drawers and sofas in clean and good condition could all be reused, thereby reducing landfill and improving the quality of life for people on low incomes.
Boost reuse
A partnership with the Richmond borough council waste management section is progressing with the prospect of running a special reuse collection vehicle along side the bulky waste collection service normally offered to Borough residents. The reuse vehicle will collect clean and serviceable wardrobes, chest of drawers and 3 piece suites to take directly to the furniture project where they will be sorted and re-distributed to needy families. The new venture will boost the project’s reuse by 20%.
People choose to reuse
The quality of reuse furniture is high. There is enough furniture entering the waste stream which is in good condition. People replace items for no other reason than they are out of fashion or the wrong colour. We also know that people prefer to see their unwanted items go to someone less fortunate than themselves rather than go to waste.
The Furniture Scheme has recently received funding from the Awards for All and generous funding from Bridge House Trust to convert part of the building into a furniture workshop, and also to construct a covered area for storing extra stock.
Reuse also means getting the furniture to the right people, we are therefore introducing improvements to the referral procedure to make it easier for busy social, health and community workers to send people to us.
The furniture scheme is run by a full-time co-ordinator who is assisted by 2 part-time workers and volunteers and we are always looking for more people to get involved. If you would like to volunteer to help as a warehouse assistant or in the office please call us.