Reuse shops save '500 tonnes of waste'

An initiative that resells unwanted items saved from recycling centres across Cornwall believes it has saved about 500 tonnes of waste.

Cornwall Council said its Kernow Reuse Shops had sold about 100,000 pre-loved items, many of which have been saved from skips, over the last 18 months.

The authority said its shops based at household waste and recycling centres across the county, stocked a variety of items which included toys, sports equipment, furniture, homeware and electricals.

Councillor Loic Rich, cabinet member with responsibility for environment and climate change said: "500 tonnes is a huge milestone and shows just how popular the shops have become".

Rich said: "It's fantastic that so many pre-loved items are being given a new lease of life through the Kernow Reuse Shops.

He added there were currently eight reuse shops across Cornwall with plans for more in the coming months.

The first shop opened in Truro in 2024, and there are now spaces in St Erth, Bude, St Austell, Falmouth, United Downs, Launceston and most recently Helston.

Becky Parry, Renew Manager for SUEZ, who run the sites, said the shops had created new "opportunities for reuse, supporting the circular economy, and helping residents save money and reduce waste".

She added: "Kernow Reuse shops' success highlights public support for reuse initiatives and shows how reuse can deliver environmental, social and economic benefits to the area."

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