Anyone who is familiar with environmental sustainability will know about the idea of “reduce, re-use, recycle.”
Re-use projects have been set up in order to encourage local residents to keep good quality items out of landfill and support the idea that it is better to pass on these things to someone who will be able to benefit, make use of, and appreciate them rather than throwing them away.
They are built on a foundation of kindness, trust, and generosity. Items are offered up freely for personal use or community use. It is bad form to ask for something and then go on to sell it elsewhere as that defeats the purpose of the project. Doing so will get you banned.
The Re-use Project was initially set up by an independent group in Herefordshire. This project was then taken on by Sonia Denise and Sasha Bedford, who then expanded upon the idea and rolled it out to 28 other places, mostly in the UK.
The Re-use Project Groups can be found on Facebook, with Sonia and Sasha both sitting as admin is on each group, along with a local representative from that area.
At the moment the groups that can be found in Wales are in Barry, Cardiff, Haverfordwest, Cowbridge & Llanblethian, Llantwit & St. Athan, and Penarth.
Penarth is by far the most successful and busiest of all the groups. At the start of July 2021 the Penarth Reuse Project Facebook group had 6,800 members. As a result, this is also the fastest paced group – most items appear and are re-homed in a short time-frame.
The Rules
- If it’s not of reusable quality, don’t offer it up
- If you have asked for it, collect it at the agreed time and don’t mess the other person around
- If there is a lot of demand for an item follow the Fair Offer Policy by drawing a name at random out of a bag at the end of the day
- Be honest about the condition – take photos of the actual item to give an honest representation of its condition
- Don’t take advantage – wealth and generosity are two different things
- Private messages are only for arranging collection
- No verbal abuse, including sulking that something isn’t fair if you wanted it and it’s gone to someone else
- No selling items on
- You can request 5 items in a 7 day period
- Don’t offer up anything on the prohibited list
Article written by Emma Ross.
Emma is a CCHA tenant. She has worked as a counsellor for Mind for 7 years, and has also worked in GP surgeries for the Cardiff & Vale NHS in Ely and on an Employee Assistance Program. You can find her on social media @WorkSmartLiveHappy
Disclaimer: All opinions and thoughts are solely the author’s, and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the website or its affiliates.