A new re-use shop in Glastonbury aims to reduce waste and promote sustainable living, with the support of local volunteers and organizations.
A new re-use shop has officially opened its doors in Glastonbury, aimed at promoting sustainable living and reducing waste in the community. The launch event took place on March 1 at the Red Brick Building, attracting approximately 50 attendees eager to explore the offerings of the newly established store.
The re-use shop operates under the management of a group of volunteers and has received backing from Somerset Council as well as SUEZ recycling and recovery UK’s Waste Not Somerset Fund. The mission of the shop encompasses collecting donations from community members, repairing items where feasible, and reselling them at a reduced price. The inventory includes a variety of household items, and visitors are also encouraged to donate pre-loved goods for resale.
During the opening event, local residents contributed donations that included speakers, DVD players, and gardening equipment. Funds generated from the sale of these items will be allocated to support local groups and initiatives focused on reducing waste and carbon dioxide emissions.
The shop is slated to operate weekly at the Red Brick Building, welcoming customers on Fridays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with hours dependent on volunteer availability. A spokesperson from the re-use shop committee expressed gratitude for the community’s support, stating, “We were so pleased to welcome many people from the community to support us on our launch day. It has taken a lot of dedication from the volunteers to set this up. We’re all passionate about reducing waste, saving money, and supporting the circular economy, and the re-use shop is a great example of this.”
Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste, Cllr Richard Wilkins, praised the initiative, saying, “Reducing waste and loving the things we own for longer is a great start towards a more sustainable future. We welcome these community initiatives which show that locals are committed to a sustainable Somerset.”
Lily Morton, senior community liaison manager at SUEZ, highlighted the project’s community engagement, remarking, “This is a brilliant example of the groups we support in the community, coming together to achieve something great. Re-use is one of the best things we can implement and encourage to work towards a more circular economy.”
The Waste Not Somerset Fund, managed by Somerset Community Foundation, plays a crucial role in funding this initiative. Kirsty Campbell, senior programmes manager at Somerset Community Foundation, commended the efforts of the Glastonbury Repair Café in launching the shop. “They have shown such dedication and perseverance in getting the re-use shop up and running. The shop will be a great benefit to the local community, and also more widely to the environment by reducing waste and championing a circular economy,” she said.
The project is further supported by CAG Somerset, a not-for-profit organization that aids local Community Action Groups. CAG Somerset has provided guidance to the Glastonbury Repair Café throughout the process, assisting in finding a venue and launching the initiative. Jinny Uppington, CAG Somerset lead, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “CAG Somerset are thrilled to support the opening of the Glastonbury re-use shop, a space dedicated to helping people extend the life of items through repair and reuse.”
As the new re-use shop continues to expand its inventory and services, the committee is seeking additional volunteers to help with operations. Interested individuals can reach out to Laura via email at lb.hpc3@gmail.com for more information.
Source: Noah Wire Services
