Bulky waste in Somerset is being given a new lease of life thanks to a partnership between Somerset Council, SUEZ, and the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
A wide range of large household items — including tables and chairs, sofas and other reusable furniture — can now be rehomed rather than recycled or thrown away. The new initiative means suitable items collected through the council’s bulky waste service are taken to the SUEZ depot in Bridgwater, where they are assessed before being passed on to the BHF’s Taunton store for resale.
The scheme aims to reduce waste, support local residents, and raise funds for the charity’s lifesaving research. Somerset Council says the partnership will help keep good‑quality items in use for longer while offering affordable second‑hand furniture to local households.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, said the project makes it easier for residents to do the right thing with unwanted items. “This is a great initiative. We want to make it as simple as possible for our pre‑loved items to be loved for longer. We know our residents care about the environment, and this partnership makes it even easier to do the right thing with the items they no longer use.”
Matt Canning, Contract Director at SUEZ, said the scheme recognises the value in items that might otherwise be thrown away. “By partnering with the British Heart Foundation, we’re able to reuse good‑quality furniture and find it a new home instead of going to waste.”
Dan Wood, Area Manager at the British Heart Foundation, added that the collaboration supports both sustainability and the charity’s research. “It’s a great example of how partnerships with local organisations can create positive environmental and social impact.”
The BHF operates second‑hand furniture shops across the country and will sell on items that meet quality and safety standards.
Residents can book a bulky collection on the Somerset Council website, they should select to say happy for the items to be reused. Items need to be in good condition and/or working order and have the necessary fire safety tags. Items that cannot be reused will continue to be responsibly recycled.
