News and Events
Norfolk's Re-use Shelters Unveiled
They say that ‘one man's junk is another man's treasure', and in difficult economic times the opportunity to pick up a bargain, give a product a second life and reduce waste - all in one go - has never been a more attractive prospect.
So four new re-use centres in Norfolk offering a bring and buy service for good quality, second hand household items - from small pieces of furniture to bikes, books and even the odd affordable collectors' item, will be welcomed by bargain hunters across the county.
The new centres were officially opened to the public today (Tuesday 24 November) as part of the 2009 European Week of Waste Reduction and follow the successful pilot at King's Lynn recycling centre, launched in November 2008, which has proved so popular with local residents that the county-wide roll out has now taken place. Based at Norfolk County Council's recycling centres at Mayton Wood, Ketteringham, Hempton and Caister, the new facilities will be managed in partnership with May Gurney.
To encourage people to use the centres, famous names and faces from around the county have already donated some of their own unwanted items and pledged to reduce, reuse and recycle more. Donations include:
- Two framed prints of theatre productions - "The Talk Show" and "The Woman In Black" by Peter Wilson, Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal, Norwich.
- A book of portraits by Norfolk-based John Hedgecoe one of Britain's finest photographers, by Mike Liggins of BBC Look East.
- A CD/DVD storage unit from Ian Monson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, Norfolk County Council.
- A book about climate change, by Tara Greaves, Environment Correspondent at the Eastern Daily Press.
- A set of wine glasses by Susie Fowler-Watt of BBC Look East.
- The AA book of 1001 walks by Ian Findlater, Business Development Director at May Gurney.
Ian Monson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste said: "The roll out of these re-use centres county-wide is part of our strategy to make Norfolk cleaner and greener by helping residents reduce, re-use, and recycle as much as possible and send less of their waste to landfill. By locating them at recycling centres, we are also helping householders to make their trip to the tip as worthwhile as possible by providing a one stop shop for getting rid of unwanted good-as-new items and giving them a second chance with a potential new owner.
"I would like to thank those people who have supported the launch of these new centres by donating items. I hope as many people as possible follow their example and pledge to reduce, re-use and recycle more."
Sarah Chapman, regional operations director for May Gurney added; "These reuse centres provide a real opportunity for people to pick up nearly new items at really affordable prices. The typical range of products we accept includes small furniture, CDs, books and general bric a brac - in fact most good quality non electrical items. They are then priced up according to their condition, with profits donated to local charities and community projects."
To mark their launch, the first 100 customers to use the new centres will receive a handy car boot liner - free of charge - which will help them keep their cars clean when they transport materials to their nearest recycling centre.
The re-use centres will be open seven days a week 8am to 4pm between October and March; 8am to 6pm between April and September. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. There will be different items for sale every week, depending on what has been brought to the site - so visit regularly to pick up the best bargains!
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