Published: August 3, 2012
Highbridge recycling centre launches new furniture re-use service

Highbridge's Recycling Centre has this week become the first centre in Somerset to launch a furniture recycling service in a bid to reduce the amount of material sent to landfill.

A range of furniture - from chairs to cupboards and beds to wardrobes - are now being accepted and if they are in a good condition they are passed on to a Bridgwater-based charity which helps people across Sedgemoor on limited incomes.

Highbridge Recycling Centre has been chosen to take the lead in the new 'furniture re-use trial' that could be rolled out across Somerset in the future.

Furniture taken to the centre will initially be assessed for its suitability, then placed in a container for later collection by the charity.

The re-use trial is a joint project of the Sedgemoor Furniture Store charity, site contractor Viridor and Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP).

The trial aims to cut the amount of furniture being recycled or sent to landfill.

Sedgemoor Furniture Store will sell the trial items on at low prices to local families on low incomes or benefits.

Cllr Richard Burden, Sedgemoor District Council's portfolio holder for the environment and a SWP Board member, said: "Re-use is better than recycling, and far better than costly, wasteful landfill."

"When residents buy new furniture, passing on their unwanted but good-condition items is a great idea. And it is excellent that Highbridge Recycling Centre has a leading role."

Highbridge Recycling Centre is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am-4pm, Sundays from 8am-1pm, and Mondays from 8am-7pm.