Zero Waste Scotland today (Friday 5 June 2015) launched a new second-hand superstore in the Highlands, the first of its national programme of re-use ‘hubs’ –unique new shopping experiences intended to transform the scale and economic clout of re-use retail in Scotland.
Blythswood Care’s Dingwall Superstore, which opens today in the town’s High Street, secured funding and support from Zero Waste Scotland after a nationwide call last year for collaborative bids from private, third and public sector groups to team up on major joint retail initiatives.
Uniquely, Blythswood has teamed up with Revolve-accredited re-use businesses from around Scotland – Glasgow-based Spruce Carpets and Second Opportunities as well as Inverness-based Everything Baby – to offer customers a huge choice of goods, from furniture and kitchen appliances, carpets and rugs, bric-a-brac, toys, clothes (including a forthcoming bridal suite), prams and baby goods.
Louise McGregor, Zero Waste Scotland – “As well as preventing items going to landfill needlessly, encouraging consumers to choose re-use helps boost the Scottish economy and create local jobs – all part of reducing our reliance on an unsustainable economic model of take, make and dispose”
It has already created four jobs, with more to come. The store also features a Repair Club, with staff demonstrating sewing skills and furniture repairs to general public.
Blythswood Dingwall is the first superstore in a major national programme launched by Zero Waste Scotland, with more superstores set to open at locations across Scotland later this year.
Encouraging re-use has a key role to play for Scotland’s economy and environment, helping us move away from the model of buying items and casting them aside after little use. Building the sector in Scotland will be essential in preventing perfectly usable items from going to landfill, benefiting the environment, and relieving pressure on scarce raw materials. There is also potential for local job creation.
Many items, which could be used by someone else, currently go to landfill. Thousands of re-usable items end up there every year, including 304,000 individual 3-seater sofas and 151,000 washing machines.
Through their re-use businesses selling books, clothing, furniture and electrical items across the Highlands, Blythswood and other third sector organisations already contribute to carbon savings of over 7,500 tonnes annually.
A 10% increase in re-use of items in the Highlands that currently end up in landfill, would generate almost £50,000 for re-use organisations in the Highlands and carbon savings equivalent to taking over 300 cars off the road.
Louise McGregor, Head of Circular Economy, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to launch the first of Zero Waste Scotland’s national programme of large scale re-use hubs in Dingwall today, a terrific example of a third sector organisation trying out a unique and innovative model by teaming up with other organisations from across the country to source a really wide range of high-quality goods from all over Scotland, as well as hosting a repair club. I’m sure shoppers in Ross-shire will be queuing up to browse the fantastic furniture, clothing and more on sale.
“We will be rolling out more superstores across Scotland this year, aiming to take the re-use sector to the next level, and make it a big player in Scotland’s retail sector. As well as preventing items going to landfill needlessly, encouraging consumers to choose re-use helps boost the Scottish economy and create local jobs – all part of reducing our reliance on an unsustainable economic model of take, make and dispose.”
James Campbell, Chief Executive, Blythswood Care, said: “This is an exciting new venture for Blythswood. It demonstrates the best of reuse and repair in Scotland and so offers a great service to Dingwall and far beyond.
“This new Revolve-accredited Blythswood re-use superstore will make a great contribution to the Christian organisation’s social care projects at home and abroad. Blythswood currently runs eight food banks in Scotland, and an alcohol rehabilitation centre in Easter Ross. Blythswood is unique in that we are a UK-wide charity based in the Highlands. We really appreciate the support of donors and shoppers in Dingwall and the surrounding area.”
Read Similar
Call For Projects To Enhance Scottish Councils’ Recycling And Re-Use
European Commission Takes Germany To Court For E-Waste Failings
Action Needed To Deal With Northern Ireland’s 1.8m Waste Tyres
Lochhead And Truss To Discuss UK-Wide Drinks Deposit Return Scheme
UK Urged To “Engage” In Circular Economy Policy-Making At EU Level