Help to clear out in time for Christmas
A new service is offering residents looking to make space for visiting family members over the festive period the chance to have their bulky furniture items collected for free through the National Re-use Phone Line.
The free service, managed by Zero Waste Scotland, collects unwanted items such as wardrobes, chests of drawers, sideboards, tables, sofas and beds that are in re-usable condition and takes them away to be used again.
The service is a hassle-free way to move items on that you no longer want in a way that’s good for both planet and pocket.
The free service also ensures items in good condition go on to have a longer life, which reduces their impact on the environment.
Local residents can simply call 0800 0665 820 to pass their items on.
Items are collected by local re-use organisations which sell the furniture to support good causes. The phone line is open from 9am to 5pm and you can donate online at any time at www. reusephoneline.com.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland said: “Whether you’re making space for visiting relations, have ordered a new sofa in time for Christmas or are looking to buy furniture in the post-Christmas sales, the National re-use phone line takes the hassle out of passing on old items, and sends them on to be used by someone else.
“It means you can avoid a trip to the tip, help someone in need and help the planet all in one phone call.”
To ensure your item can be collected, Zero Waste Scotland does advise householders to check that sofas and armchairs have their fire tags still in place to comply with regulations around re-sale, and to ensure items are not broken or damaged as they would not be able to be collected.
Encouraging greater re-use of items is a key part of Zero Waste Scotland’s work in creating a circular economy, where products and materials stay in the highest value state for as long as possible.
Around half a million of sofas are sent to landfill each year in Scotland. However, around a fifth are currently re- used which generates £ 1.5m to the Scottish economy through sales and employment and saves the equivalent of 4500 tonnes of carbon emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 750 cars off the roads.
Re-using items is significantly more environmentally friendly than recycling them. For example, re- using 100 sofas saves 1.5 tonnes of carbon compared to recycling them.
The Recycle for Scotland website has a wealth of information about how to reduce your waste and re- use more often as well as information on recycling, providing a one-stop shop for ways to become a zerowaste household.
Find out more at www. reusephoneline.com.
Zero Waste Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to support the delivery of its Zero Waste Plan and other low carbon and resource efficiency policy priorities.
Zero Waste Scotland is helping Scotland to become more efficient in its use of resources supporting progress towards Scotland’s ambitious zero waste targets.