This Recycle Week, 23 to 29 September, Emmaus Leeds is celebrating a 25% reduction in waste to landfill over the past 12 months.
During the period between September 2018 and August 2019, Emmaus Leeds reduced the amount of waste it sends to landfill by 19.9 tonnes compared to the same period in the previous year. The reduction has been achieved thanks to awareness raising, improved processes and more donated items being sold in Emmaus Leeds charity stores.
Chris Gomm, Operations Supervisor at Emmaus Leeds, said: “We’re proud to be supporting Recycle Week 2019 and doing our bit to reduce household waste across the city. Within our Emmaus Leeds social enterprise, we are constantly looking at ways to improve our processes and reuse or recycle as much as we can.”
“The costs of disposing of items that cannot be resold or recycled can be considerable. As a charity, these are costs that can be better used to support our beneficiaries. Therefore, it’s so important for people to donate the right items and not be offended when we cannot accept certain items.”
Emmaus Leeds supports 26 formerly homeless people by providing them with a stable home and work in its social enterprise. The charity has its main community building and social enterprise on St Mary’s Street, a stall at Kirkgate Market and a charity shop in Halton.
Donald Forrester, Chief Executive of Emmaus Leeds, said: “Our waste reduction achievement is down to a big team effort and I would like to thank all those who work and volunteer in the Emmaus Leeds social enterprise.”
“Social enterprise is a central part of the Emmaus model as it provides meaningful work for formerly homeless people, opportunities for personal development and generates the majority of the funds we need to sustain the work of our charity.
“The Emmaus Leeds social enterprise also promotes reuse, recycling and sustainability. It’s a great resource for residents of the city who are on a limited budget or who prefer to buy second-hand items.”
Now in its 17th year, Recycle Week is a celebration of recycling, organised by WRAP under the Recycle Now brand. The aim of the week is to encourage the public to recycle more, by demonstrating the benefits of recycling items from all around the home.
To find out more about the work of Emmaus Leeds head to www.emmaus.org.uk/leeds. For more information, to donate an item or get involved as a volunteer call 0113 248 4288 or visit Emmaus Leeds at St Mary’s Street, Leeds, LS9 7DP.