A CHARITY that supplies quality used furniture and electrical goods to people on low incomes and those in need of affordable household items has prevented hundreds of tonnes of unwanted items being sent to landfill.

The Northallerton-based Richmond and Hambleton Furniture Store (RHFS) – which is part of Broadacres – has revealed that in 2017/18 it sold 1,851 items to 1,058 households across both districts.
This prevented 57.65 tonnes of unwanted items being sent to landfill and saved 62,955 kilos of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being emitted into the environment.

The figures have been released to mark RHFS’s support of The Reuse Network’s #Every2ndcounts campaign, which is running throughout May. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the 200 charities and social enterprises, which form Reuse, that are working to help the environment by encouraging people to donate unwanted items.

It comes as new figures reveal that in 2015/16, the charity sold 2,027 items to local people and at the same time prevented almost 60 tonnes of goods from being sent to landfill.

Natalie Frame, RHFS Administrator, said: “As a member of Reuse we understand the responsibility we have to the environment and one of the best ways of protecting the planet is by reducing, reusing or recycling the waste we all produce.

“Over ten million items are sent to landfill every year but 3 million of these items could be reused.

“So, through the Richmond and Hambleton Furniture Store we are able to do our own bit for the environment by collecting people’s unwanted furniture and basic electrical white goods.
“But just as importantly we are also helping people in Richmondshire and Hambleton who cannot afford to buy new goods to furnish their homes.

The RHFS operates from Brompton Road (adjacent to Alpha Dental Centre) and over the road from Asda. The opening hours are Monday 10am to 2pm; Tuesday 10am to 4pm; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 2pm; and Saturday 9am to 1pm.

Donations can be dropped off at the store when it is open, or to arrange free collection people can telephone 07801 591 581. The collection days are Tuesday and Thursday all day and Wednesday and Friday mornings.

The furniture must be in clean and saleable condition (i.e. no pet scratches, staining and odour-free); all upholstered furniture must have the current fire labels attached. All the electrical items must be in working condition and may be tested before collection, but washing machines, dishwashers and cookers are not collected. The recycling operatives have final discretion so guarantees cannot be given that all items will be taken.

Deliveries can be made for a small charge if buyers are unable to take their goods home.

RHFS also has a Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/RHFurnitureStore/ – which is updated regularly and shows new items in stock. If people like the page they will receive notifications of new stock.

More information on the Reuse campaign is available at https://reuse-network.org.uk/

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