I set myself a challenge: to go to the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre and see what Christmas presents I could buy for a total of £10.
And, in the spirit of Christmas, we decided to donate the gifts to the Gatehouse charity’s festive appeal for 2025, which was launched in partnership with the Bury Free Press.
On Thursday, I went down to Bury recycling centre, in Fornham Road, to pop into the re-use shop, which is run by The Benjamin Foundation in partnership with Suffolk County Council and FCC Environment.
Inside the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre. Picture: Mariam Ghaemi
Earlier this week the county council had issued a press release about the shop – as well as the one at Foxhall recycling centre – being a ‘hidden gem’ for Christmas gifts and decorations.
For those who have never been, it is a treasure trove of items from board games and books to bikes and furniture. And currently, there is even a Christmas section.
The items are checked and are in good condition, and sales from the donated items help to support the work of the Benjamin Foundation.
The Christmas section at the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre. Picture: Mariam Ghaemi
The foundation, which also runs the re-use shop at Foxhall, provides local families with childcare, as well as mental health, youth, family and housing support services.
So, as well as helping to reduce waste and give unwanted items a new lease of life, buying at the re-use shops helps local families.
I was really hoping for a good haul of quality items when I popped in and this is what I came away with.
♦ Cranium – £2
♦ Puppet book and chart – £3
♦ ‘Over 2,000 Magical Things to Find’ book – £1
♦ Colouring book – £2
♦ Castle siege scene – £1
♦ Puzzle cube – £1
What we bought for £10. Picture: Mariam Ghaemi
I focused on children’s activity and family games, thinking these could bring some extra fun to someone’s Christmas.
The items were of such a high quality and very reasonably priced (Cranium can retail for £15 or higher) that I’m considering shopping here again for presents.
In a survey by First News, the UK’s only children’s newspaper, 70 per cent of readers said they would be happy to receive second-hand gifts this Christmas.
And a recent poll by YouGov, on behalf of FCC Environment, found that the number of people buying second-hand items has continued to grow over recent years with 84 per cent of respondents buying second-hand items, compared to 75 per cent in 2022.
This is our haul, for £10, from the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre. Picture: Suzanne Day
Paul Sinclair, The Benjamin Foundation’s managing director, said: “The thoughtfulness of Suffolk’s residents to donate items through Suffolk’s recycling centres, and buy them at our re-use shops, really does make a difference in supporting the work that we do.
“This time of year, we tend to see a drop in people coming into the re-use shops. But I’d encourage people to reverse this trend for two reasons.
“Firstly, it’s a great time to donate items to help others enjoy Christmas; and secondly, we already have some great items on the shelves for stocking fillers, Secret Santa gifts, Christmas games and decorations.”
Why not give it a try?
♦ More detail about recycling and re-use shops in Suffolk can be found here or by following @SuffolkRecyclingCentres on Instagram and Facebook.
Follow @Re-use Shop Ipswich and @Re-use Shop Bury St Edmunds on Facebook for specific shop promotions.
During December, the re-use shops will be running a social media campaign with different offers.
Also, members of the public that quote the word SANTA in either the Bury or Foxhall shops, can get a further 10 per cent discount off their purchase during December.