Free reuse collection

We offer a free collection service for household items and furniture that can be reused.

Items must be undamaged and in good working order.

Any soft furnishings e.g. sofa, armchair etc. must have attached current fire safety regulation labels.

We will check on collection if items are reusable. If there is damage, lack of labelling or poor condition, the items will not be collected.

You will be referred instead to the bulky waste service.

Reducing your waste and reusing it is the best way to protect our environment.

There are lots of ways we can all make a real difference.

By reusing items we can:

• cut the amount of waste being sent to landfill.
• reduce energy and raw material costs associated with the production of new items.
• give local people the opportunity to save money – reusable items are much cheaper than buying new.

Reduce and reuse

• Buy products with refillable packaging.
• Reuse packaging like bottles and tubs for lunches, freezing portions, or use in the garden.
• Compost raw food waste at home or use your weekly kerbside food waste collection.
• Reuse glass jars for storage.
• Egg cartons make great seed trays. You can plant each section straight out and the cardboard will rot away.
• Buy loose fruit and vegetables and avoid heavily packaged items.
• Sign up to paperless banking and billing.
• Use refillable water bottles and coffee cups.
• Avoid disposable items like plastic cups and plates.
• Buy secondhand clothing and support local charities.
• Try repairing clothes before buying new items.
• Donate or resell unwanted items.
• Buy recycled products like loo roll, printer paper or clothes.
• Use rechargeable batteries.

Upcycling uses waste materials to make new items or products.

Try the following ideas before you think of the waste bin.

• Upcycle textiles and clothing into a cushion cover.
• Use an old t-shirt to make a storage bag.

Webpage Craftsy Hacks has lots of upcycling ideas.

Check your recycling (green bin or reusable sack) collection day.

Book a visit to a household waste recycling sites for other items that you can’t reuse or recycle at the kerbside.

Donate electrical items and other items in good repair to organisations or charity shops offering re-use schemes.

Some of the organisations on the Isle of Wight:

• Storeroom2010 takes furniture, such as chairs, tables, sofas and beds, that are still in a usable condition. They can collect and reuse furniture within the community
• British Heart Foundation accept unwanted furniture and electrical goods. They also offer a paid-for house clearance service
• Mountbatten Hospice is a local hospice. They also run a furniture re-use scheme.

If you would like your charity shop listed, contact waste.contract@iow.gov.uk.