THE VALUE OF WASTE

I was watching BBC breakfast over my morning cuppa the other day and a story caught my eye that was explaining the benefits of a ‘rubbish’ shop (i.e a shop which sold on what others have thrown out.)  The story was in light of new figures that claim £400 million worth of waste is thrown into landfill each year – much of which could be rescued, revamped and resold. It struck me as interesting that people are getting on board with something, that in Inverness, we are well ahead of the game with.  

I notice initiatives, most clearly by charity shops but also by larger retailers, trying to play their part in proving the adage that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. (For instance, Marks and Spencers, who have huge clothes re-use programme.) 

However, waste can have a much bigger value. 

an example of some of our up-scaling work

What New Start Highland do, and what is at the thrust of our enterprise, is taking waste that would otherwise be dumped – and using it as a mechanism to deliver social and environmental benefit to the Highlands.

When you are chucking something out you might ring up the council first (which would cost you £20 for a pick up to begin with.) Then it would be smushed up and thrown into landfill. (Which we all know isn’t the smartest action when it comes to being aware of environmental impact.) If though, you gave New Start Highland a call, we would collect free of charge, we’d apply some TLC and we’d put it back to use. Whether it’s an old washing machine, chest of drawers or arm chair we can tidy up and refurbish household items, breathing new life into your ‘junk’ and into your own community. When something is thrown out of your home, it shouldn’t be thrown out of your consciousness. 

George Fraser, Chief Executive ofTulloch Homes and myself

The brilliant part about this is that the vast majority (close to 75%) of what is donated to us gets given out to people in the Highlands who find themselves in poverty, often through no fault of their own. They sometimes can’t otherwise afford or access something to sit on, sleep on or eat with.  Things that most of us take for granted. 

The remainder gets sold on through retail outlets, which means we can make available quality, affordable pieces of furniture to everybody in the area. Something we all look for and something for which New Start Highland are unsurpassed in the area. 

This process follows suit with anyone who donates to us. Whether you are clearing a house or you’re part of a business, why not follow the example of people and places such as the Kingsmills, Tulloch Homes and Robertson Homes and hundreds of individuals and think of a more ethical approach to reuse. 

So my challenge to you this week, is to think more broadly when it comes to recycling. While putting your cans in a coloured bin and avoiding carrier bags at the supermarket all have their place in making positive actions for the environment, consider that through ethical re-use, your pre owned items could have a much farther and deeper reach.  

handing over a cooker

We’re proud to do our part in creating environmental change. Our flagship store one of the first in Scotland to be ‘Revolve Reuse’ accredited and we also have a Highlands and Islands Business Excellence Award for ‘Excellence in Environmental Sustainability’ from SCDI (Scottish Council for Development in Industry.) Not only are we incredibly fortunate to be able to deliver lasting social impact through waste, we’re proud to create it in partnership with you.