This Recycle Week, 21 – 27 September, Emmaus Merseyside is celebrating the reopening of its two Charity Re-Use Shops.
The two shops, located at household waste and recycling centres in Sefton and Liverpool, are run by Emmaus Merseyside in partnership with Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA). The Emmaus Merseyside Charity Re-Use Shops collect and sell donated pre loved items, saving them from the waste chain whilst generating an income to support the Emmaus charity.
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.
Stacey Whitfield, Reuse Manager at Emmaus Merseyside, said: “There really is no need to put items in landfill and cause problems for our environment. We need to rethink how we repurpose items we no longer need. The formerly homeless people we support have turned old furniture into bird feeders, chest of drawers into planters, old TV units into pet beds and old vinyl records into flowers and fruit bowls – the possibilities are endless. Call in for advice on your upcycling projects and get some creative ideas.”
Support for formerly homeless people
Emmaus Merseyside provides a home, meaningful work, training and support to people who have experienced homelessness or social exclusion. The formerly homeless people who are supported by the charity gain valuable work experience in the Emmaus Merseyside social enterprise. This includes working within the Charity Re-Use Shops, sorting donations, serving customers and out on the vans, delivering and collecting furniture.
Emmaus Merseyside temporarily suspended all retail operations back in March to ensure the safety of its residents, staff, volunteers, customers and the local community. With new COVID-19 safety measures in place and supporters visiting again, Emmaus Merseyside is confident that it will recoup some of the income lost over the shutdown period.
Honora Crisp, Business Manager at Emmaus Merseyside, said: “We are delighted to welcome back shoppers and supporters at our two Charity Re-Use Shops. These shops are a fantastic resource for anyone in need of affordable items, anyone wanting to embark on an upcycling project or anyone wanting to shop responsibly and look after our environment. Come along, drop off some donations, have a browse, shop and support our charity.”
Emmaus Merseyside accepts donations of items that are in good condition including furniture, household goods, clothing and much more. Items are then sold in the two Charity Re-Use Shops at Old Swan and Irlam Road, and the larger Charity Superstore located in Seaforth.
Find out more about Emmaus Merseyside’s charity shops and visit the Emmaus Merseyside Facebook page for regular updates.