Environment

UK’s biggest reuse centre hits milestone of 50,000 preloved items repaired and resold


THE UK’s biggest and most unique reuse and repair facility has renovated and resold more than 50,000 items in its first year – diverting over 500 tonnes of material from going to landfill.

The Renew Hub, based at Trafford Park in Greater Manchester, has created 20 new jobs and is now launching its own non-profit online shop (link opens in new window) to sell antiques, furniture and collectables.

The Renew Hub is a 5000m2 operation that brings together mechanics, qualified technicians, specialist tradespeople, charities, and social enterprises to repair, recycle, reuse and sell preloved items that would have gone to waste across nine of the boroughs of Greater Manchester. Items are donated or set aside at all of the household waste recycling centres in Greater Manchester and brought to the Hub for refurbishment and resale through an online shop and three shops located at household waste recycling centres in Oldham, Salford, and Trafford.

The online shop (link opens in new window) includes unique pieces of furniture and antiques alongside more unusual items for those looking for something different, without the hefty price tag. The facility is almost ready to welcome visitors to use as a community space, education facility and striking event venue - this will be opened in the coming months.

All proceeds from the sale of preloved items go towards the Recycle for Greater Manchester Community Fund and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, benefiting local people directly and community groups working towards reducing waste, recycling and reuse.

Among the items sold in the Hub’s first year are 1,984 electronic items, 953 bikes, 745 pieces of soft furniture and 5,287 pieces of hard furniture.

Cllr Martyn Cox, GMCA Lead for the Green City-Region and Waste and Recycling, said: “We have a big target to hit in Greater Manchester in terms of going carbon neutral by 2038, and the Renew Hub represents a major opportunity to change the way we reuse, recycle, and cut emissions from waste. We need to be thinking about the things we throw away, and the Hub proves that much of what you think is irreparable can actually be repaired. It can be used and loved again with the help of our skilled teams and partners upcycling furniture, repairing bikes and washing machines, and generally seeing the potential in someone else’s unwanted items.

“That ethos of a more circular economy doesn’t just mean cutting waste and reusing items , but also making sure that what happens at the Hub benefits people and projects here in Greater Manchester. We’re supporting charities and community groups that are rehoming people in need, providing quality goods that actually have a long life left in them, and our shops are offering an alternative to expensive brand new products for local residents to access. It’s our hope that people across the country will see the difference being made here, and think twice the next time they plan to throw something away.”

Daniel Carolan, Regional Manager for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “At SUEZ we operate a triple bottom line approach to everything we do to ensure that our work benefits people and the planet. Our reuse project in Greater Manchester with the development of the Renew shops and Hub  is a perfect example of this, saving items that would have previously gone to waste and benefiting local people at the same time through the money raised.

“We’re at a key milestone for this project with the launch of our online shop and the ability for the Hub to be used for education and events. That alongside the sheer volume of preloved items we’re processing – that go to people who really need them in this current economic climate – is a triumph and we can’t thank everybody enough who is partnering with us and sharing their skills to enable this to succeed.”

The Renew Hub has already sold 360 of the 500 tonnes of donated items via the traditional shops and 65 tonnes has gone directly to charities across Greater Manchester to support people on low incomes and in crisis. The entire project has provided 20 new jobs in the green sector and is supporting many schemes including apprenticeships and a programme with Recycling Lives – a charity and social enterprise, with an aim of reducing homelessness and reoffending by supporting men and women into stable housing and employment.

To see the online shop, visit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/renewgreatermanchester (link opens in new window)

Your local physical Renew Shops and more information can be found here: https://recycleforgreatermanchester.com/renew/ (link opens in new window)


Article Published: 01/09/2022 14:29 PM