If it still works, can be fixed, or worn, then allow it to be reused as in most cases, reusing an object will use far less energy than recycling it.
As you scroll down the page you will find more information on how to reuse the following unwanted items:
There are many ways you could sell your unwanted items. For example, you could use Freegle, Gumtree or Ebay. Please find more information on Freegle and Gumtree below.
Freegle. Formally Freecycle, Freegle match people who have things they want to get rid of with people who can use them. Freegle encourages people to get rid of junk that they no longer need and promote community involvement in the process."
For more information on the Newcastle Freegle go to www.toon.org.uk.
Gumtree (Community Classifieds for Newcastle) "Gumtree is a community site to help connect private individuals...Our aim at Gumtree is to give you a simple and easy-to-use tool that lets you quickly find you might be looking for."
For more information go to http://newcastle.gumtree.com
Every year over 15 billion batteries are produced and sold world wide and many are single-use rather than rechargeable.
Replacing your one-use batteries with rechargeable batteries reduces waste and is better for your wallet.
You can recycle your used household batteries by
Anyone can donate or buy a bicycle from Recyke-y-bike
Recyke-y-bike is a community project in Byker where people can come and fix their bike instead of throwing it away, or they can donate the bike to the project where it will be repaired by volunteers and resold to people who may not be able to afford a new bike. Some bikes may go to the charity 'Bikes for Africa'.
Further information and contact details can be found on their website www.recyke-y-bike.org
Acorn Computer Recycling in Wallsend was set up as a 'Community Interest Company' in 2008. Acorn's objectives are:
To see if Acorn can make use of your unwanted IT equipment, call them on 0191 2635010 or visit the Acorn Computer Recycling website for more information.
Please donate usable but unwanted furniture to Newcastle based Community Furniture Service and you can be sure that they will be put to good use within the community.
By donating your unwanted items you help the environment by reducing the amount that goes to landfill and provide training placements and volunteering opportunities to local people which will enable them to develop their skills.
Community Furniture Services also offer removals and house clearances, assistance to vulnerable people to move items around their home and furniture storage.
For more information phone 0191 2656433 or visit Community Furniture Service web page.
Mobile phones are valuable to many charities. They could sell them as a source of revenue or send them to be used in developing countries that have poor telecommunications network.
Remember mobile phones and mobile phone batteries constitute an environmental hazard in landfill.
Please contact your favoured charity to see if they collect mobile phones.
It is estimated nearly 3 billion nappies are thrown away in the UK each year and they can take up to 500 years to decompose. So nearly every disposable nappy ever made is probably still lying in landfill sites. With this in mind, re-usable nappies would seem a better environmental option.
However, there is a flip side to the debate which claims the energy used to initially manufacture re-usable nappies and the energy used when washing them cancels out any environmental benefit.
In trying to make sense of this argument, the Environment Agency has published research that basically concludes re-usable are better for the environmental if they are washed at lower temperatures in a full machine and dried naturally on the washing line when possible. Even more so if they are kept and used for a second child. However, make up your own mind by reading the latest Environment Agency Research.
If you are still happy to try re-usable nappies, the Newcastle Real Nappy Network can offer support and advice.
Newcastle Real Nappy Network
Run by a local resident Jo Dale, for local residents, Newcastle Real Nappy Network can help by providing free advice and support to anyone considering using or already using Real Nappies. Jo can be contacted by telephone on (0191) 422 6391 or by email at jodeconstruction@hotmail.com
Also, you could look to have your real nappies laundered for you. A Google search for real nappy laundry should direct you to businesses offering this service in our area.
Collecting old spectacles from wearers in the UK and reusing them in third world countries, where proper eye care is not available for those without a high income, gives people with poor eyesight the chance to wear glasses for the first time.
To find out more, ask your optician, or check with charities in your local area. Alternatively, donate your unwanted glasses to the charity Vision Aid Overseas
Tyneside Tool Aid is a small local charity that carries out restoration work on donated tools at their workshop in Fenham. The tools are re-used in the local community or sent to help people in developing countries.
For more information visit the Tyneside Tool Aid page.
If you would like to donate any unwanted tools, or would like a job in the workshop, contact Jimmy Snowdon at Tyneside Tool Aid on (0191) 274 9144
Renew is a not-for-profit organisation that re-furbishes white goods that would have otherwise be landfilled.
For more information on Renew, or to find out how you can donate or buy white goods, visit the ReNew website
Newcastle based community organisation Ban-Waste has produced a comprehensive waste directory to help residents reduce, reuse and recycle a variety of wastes found in the home.
Click the following link to visit the waste directory
Page last updated: 16 August, 2011
