An improved service that will make it easier for Shropshire residents to recycle furniture and household items is now available.
The local furniture recycling schemes within the Shropshire Council area are now working together across the former district council boundaries to collect unwanted furniture from households in Shropshire.
Previously each scheme operated solely within its own district area.
The new system will simplify the process of donating household goods in Shropshire, and will also allow residents across the whole Shropshire Council area to book a collection by calling just one number – 01691 679817.
Under the schemes residents can donate good quality, clean, re-usable household items, furniture, electrical appliances, white goods, cookers, crockery, cutlery, curtains, bedding – and these are donated to low-income families in the county.
The schemes operate using volunteers and work to maximise the re-use of household goods for the benefit of low income families in their communities.
Councillor David Roberts, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for environment and economy, said: “The furniture scheme volunteers provide a valuable service across Shropshire, helping to keep household waste out of landfill and helping disadvantaged families across the county. These improvements will help to deliver an even better service with even greater benefits to all.”
A spokesman for Shropshire Furniture Recycling Partnership (SHOFUR), said: “We all have the common objective of helping disadvantaged communities by providing good quality household goods at rock bottom prices. Now we are working together more this means we can help even more people and minimise what has to go to landfill.”
The schemes have now developed a central ‘call centre’ operation based in Oswestry and a single software system for booking and tracking collections and donations. This development was funded with a grant from Shropshire Community Recycling Ltd. and technical support has been supplied by Shropshire Council’s Waste Management team and their contractor Veolia Environmental Services.
Further information
1. Shropshire Furniture Recycling Partnership (SHOFUR) is an umbrella organisation made up of the following furniture schemes in the Shropshire Council area.
– Bridgnorth District Furniture Scheme:- 01746 764494
– South Shropshire Furniture Scheme :- 01584 877751
– Home Essentials (Shrewsbury Furniture Recycling Scheme) :- 01743 246668
– Shropshire Housing Alliance (incorporating the North Shropshire & Oswestry Furniture Schemes):- 01691 679817.
To book a collection in any part of Shropshire residents should call 01691 679817. Members of the public will still be able to contact their local furniture scheme on their old telephone numbers.
Chairs and Spares in Telford are not currently members of SHOFUR and still operate completely independently in the Telford and Wrekin Council area.
2. All household items are accepted subject to the donation meeting safety, hygiene and quality standards. The collection crews reserve the right to reject any items which are not suitable for re-use. The collection service will attract a small charge of £5. Donors will still have the alternative of contacting their local furniture scheme directly and arranging to drop off their donated items free of charge. In addition the Shrewsbury scheme will continue to collect certain items which they have a specific demand for from their clients free of charge.
3. Shropshire Community Recycling Ltd. is the executive arm of Shropshire Community Recycling Network the body funded by Shropshire Council to help encourage the voluntary and community sector to get involved in waste management.
Source : http://thegovmonitor.com
