Library of Things secures £20,000 Viridor funding for UK expansion

Library of Things (LoT) has secured £20,000 in funding from Viridor to support its national expansion, as part of Viridor’s £75,000 commitment to the UK’s reuse sector.

The funding establishes a new partnership between Viridor and LoT, enabling the not-for-profit to launch a ‘Sharing Library Incubator’ and ‘Seed Fund’ later this year. These initiatives aim to help communities establish their own sharing libraries in UK towns and cities.

LoT operates self-serve lending kiosks in community spaces where residents can borrow household items like power tools, kitchen appliances, and gardening equipment for a small daily fee. This system ensures products remain in active use throughout their functional lifespan rather than sitting idle in individual homes, ultimately reducing the total number of items manufactured and discarded. The organisation currently operates across 21 locations in London, providing 30,000 residents with affordable access to more than 600 quality items.

Rebecca Wetten, Co-Director of Library of Things, commented: “Community-led initiatives – like sharing libraries – play a crucial role in powering the behaviour change needed for a society that borrows instead of buys. Sharing cuts carbon, reduces waste, and supports Net Zero goals. It brings communities together to boost skills, create local jobs, and help revitalise high streets by activating empty spaces. Borrowing, sharing and repairing are critical ingredients for circular, resilient communities.”

Viridor’s funding will support the hiring of a dedicated coordinator to manage the pilot incubator programme and develop communication materials, helping to expand LoT’s reach beyond London.

“In partnership with Viridor, we’ll launch the Sharing Library Fund and Incubator to directly tackle the funding barrier that prevents communities from launching and sustaining lending libraries,” Wetten added. “It’s partnerships like this that can create a tipping point for our vision; a high-impact sharing library in every neighbourhood, powering sharing towns and cities.”

Support for reuse sector

As part of the same funding package, Viridor has allocated £35,000 to Reuse Network, as part of an ongoing strategic partnership.

According to Reuse Network, the sector reused 2.55 million furniture and electrical items in 2024, saving 1.5 million households £321.2 million. The funding will provide digital support for members, help run a media campaign and roadshows, and advance their research capabilities.

Craig Anderson, CEO of Reuse Network, highlighted the value of continued funding: “We are incredibly grateful for Viridor’s continued support as our strategic partner for the fourth year running. Their commitment has been instrumental in helping us ensure that the reuse sector is recognised and supported. Through this partnership, we have raised awareness of the importance of reuse, created new opportunities for our network, and empowered communities to embrace sustainability.”

The remaining £20,000 has been allocated to Sheltersuit UK, founded during lockdown in 2021 to make survival clothing for homeless people by repurposing waste textiles.

Sheltersuit UK manufactures weatherproof insulated portable shelters called Shelterbags from waste nylons and polyesters that would otherwise end up in landfill. The funding will help pay for a machinist’s salary for eight months, cover material costs, and contribute to producing 700–800 Shelterbags during this period.

Ian Sutherland McCook, CEO of Sheltersuit UK, said: “Sheltersuit UK protects rough sleepers by manufacturing the Shelterbag, a weatherproof insulated portable shelter. These Shelterbags are made from waste nylons and polyesters that would otherwise go to landfill, endlessly releasing greenhouse gases and microplastics. We also employ ex-refugees, taking them off benefits and into the labour market, where they contribute to the UK economy in taxes and National Insurance.”

Commenting on the fund, Kevin Bradshaw, CEO of Viridor added: “Reuse is a cornerstone of the circular economy and an essential step in building a more sustainable future. We are delighted to support organisations like Reuse Network, Library of Things, and Sheltersuit UK, whose work not only diverts waste from landfill but also empowers communities and inspires important change. These organisations reflect Viridor’s mission to create a world where nothing goes to waste and I am delighted that Viridor is supporting this important sector – as we work together to drive meaningful impact on people, the planet, and the way we think about resource use.”

The financial commitment comes from Viridor’s We Share Community Fund, designed to support initiatives that align with the company’s sustainability goals and commitment to advancing the circular economy.