A tonne of success

Published by Maike Riedel for Circle in Housing and also in Communities, Environment

- Priory Court Swap Shop helps save the environment

An amazing total of a tonne of household items were saved from going into landfill thanks to a successful Give or Take Day on Saturday at Priory Court Community Centre in Walthamstow.

Over 120 local residents used the opportunity to clean out their home and exchanged household and furniture items they no longer needed for something more useful. Swapped items included TVs, books, baby walkers and even a running machine. Over the duration of three hours half a tonne of reusable goods were donated by local residents. Another half a tonne of household items was provided by the Forest Recycling Project and at the end of the day all items were swapped. This is the equivalent of eight tonnes of carbon that has been saved from being emitted into the atmosphere.

The Give or Take Day, which aimed to reduce waste by re-using furniture and other household goods, was held for the second time on the east London estate; organised by the Forest Recycling Project, the London Borough of Waltham Forest and Circle 33 Housing Trust, who manage 288 homes on the estate.

Gulsun Faik, community development partnership manager for Circle 33, part of Circle Housing Group, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to get rid of furniture and bric-a-brac they do not want anymore and pick up something they actually need, all for free. We organised this event to show residents the benefits of recycling especially in these difficult economic times. It’s good for the community and the environment.”

A spokesperson from the Forest Recycling Project said: “All of these reusable goods would otherwise end up in landfill. Through these events we can redistribute these items, allowing people to know their old possessions are going to a good home and other individuals to get quality goods for free, saving money, helping the environment, having fun and meeting each other at the same time. We hope the event has encouraged residents to keep donating their unwanted goods toPriory Court’s new reusable goods drop off project.”

Dr Bikes mobile cycle services were also on site to offer free bike MOTs and the team from the Forest Recycling Project informed the many swappers about recycling, saving energy and other community activities.

Residents interested in swapping goods can contact Gulsun Faik at Priory Court Community Centre on phone 0208 531 9990.