Scotland launches reuse fund for household goods

Zero Waste Scotland has launched a new £150,000 grant fund designed to help third sector organisations increase the reuse of furniture and other household goods.

Announced on Friday (26 July), the Capacity Grant Funding for the Third Sector (funded by the Waste and Resources Action Prorgamme (WRAP)) aims to ‘increase resource recovery from waste streams, as well as to promote waste reduction behaviours and improve the quality of the material that is collected’.

Third sector organisations can apply for a piece of the money to support or develop reuse activities, including:

• increasing the quantity and quality of items being re-used;
• increasing household good collections;
• improving logistical support;
• purchasing specialist reuse and repair equipment; and
• improving sales capacity and retail environments.

A maximum of £10,000 is available to organisations who wish to make capital purchases such as machinery, equipment and infrastructure.

According to WRAP, the funding is also designed to support third sector organisations in achieving accreditation through Revolve, Scotland’s national reuse quality standard.

Funding to ‘strengthen operations’

Scotland’s reuse sector currently diverts around 450,000 tonnes of unwanted materials from landfill every year.  According to Zero Waste Scotland, it also generates in excess of £20 million a year, creates over 700 jobs, and over 5,000 volunteer posts or supported placements.

Speaking of the launch of the fund, Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Reuse organisations across Scotland do a great job in cutting waste, helping people to save money and benefitting local communities. I am delighted that this funding will support third sector organisations to do even more to expand these benefits and strengthen their operations.”

The fund is the latest push Zero Waste Scotland has made in promoting reuse, after awarding £400,000 to 15 reuse organisations last year.

Iain Gulland, Director at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Reuse has enormous benefits to the environment, diverting valuable materials from landfill and giving them a longer life.

“I’m delighted to announce this further round of grant funding to third sector organisations, providing the opportunity for strengthening and adding real value to their operation.”

Read more about Scotland’s reuse quality standard Revolve.