Devon residents urged to repair, refurbish and reuse

Devon County Council is championing the very first REUSE week this coming May 16th-22nd.

Residents from all over Devon are being urged to repair, refurbish and reuse more.

REUSE week is all about giving the things we own a new lease of life – by repairing, refurbishing, repurposing or passing them on to someone.  It’s also about highlighting the treasure trove that is second-hand and pre-loved items. 

One of the highlights of the week will be the UK premiere of the documentary REUSE! in conjunction with Transition Exeter. 

This screening takes place at Exeter Community Centre on Thursday 19th May from 7-9pm and is free to attend.  After the film, Exeter Scrapstore and furniture re-use charity, Turntable, will take part in a Q&A session.

REUSE Week was an idea that Tavistock Scrapstore came up with as a way of promoting all the great opportunities for re-using stuff around Devon. 

According to the Local Government Association; UK households are throwing away £400 million worth of items that could have been re-used. 

REUSE week is a celebration of these diverse and numerous organisations and what they do.  Visit the REUSE Week web pages to find out about offers or events in your area.  A lot of the events are free / drop-in but some are bookable. 

Workshops on offer include upcycling, upholstery and creative activities for families.  Plus there are a number of discount offers available during REUSE week only.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment said: “'If an item is reused it doesn't need recycling.

“Throughout the county there are numerous charities, enterprises and community groups who run reuse related projects. 

“These range from the four scrapstores in Devon that take materials from businesses that would otherwise have been wasted and puts them to creative use, and the fourteen furniture re-use enterprises which collect and sell on furniture and other household goods both on the open market and at a subsidised rate to those on lower incomes.

“Reusing items not only helps conserve the planet’s resources by reducing the amount we need to buy new but it can also save you money.”