During this year’s national Recycle Week, homelessness charity Emmaus Colchester is calling on local people to donate their unwanted items to help reduce the amount sent to landfill in the local area.
Each year, Emmaus Colchester ensures that around 33,000 pieces of furniture, worth more than £380,000 a year when sold in its shops, are saved from the rubbish tip by offering a free collection service for large items in good condition.
The funds generated from selling donated items helps Emmaus to provide a home, meaningful work, daily support and funded training for people who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion.
The theme for this year’s Recycle Week, which is now in its 17th year, is ‘Together – We Recycle’. Emmaus is keen to spread the word that when an item is donated to the charity, the utmost is done to reuse, recycle or upcycle the item to give it a longer life.
Darren Scott, business manager at Emmaus Colchester, said:
“We’re asking people to look around their house, shed, loft and garage – if they have any quality furniture they don’t need, they can book a free collection with us from their home. We’re proud that by offering a free collection service we’re doing our bit to help reduce waste, but also giving the public the opportunity to reduce their own waste too.
“We couldn’t do our work without the public and we hope that our local community will pull together to help us make a difference to the environment and the lives of the people we support.”
Emmaus Colchester accepts furniture that is in good condition. Items are then sold in the charity’s three shops in the town centre, at The Works on Osborne Street, New Life on Crouch Street, and the soon to be reopened Home Shop on the High Street.
Book a collection online or send us an email.