Donated items have been given a new lease of life at the latest pop-up recycling shop in the county – with another permanent venue to follow next month.
Residents heading to the tip in Ashford were able to donate several high-quality goods which were then sold on at affordable prices.
Several items were donated at Ashford tip’s pop-up shop. Picture: FCC Environment
FCC Environment, the company which manages 14 of the 19 Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRC) on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC), has been hosting the pop-up shops across Kent throughout the summer.
The latest one in Ashford was the seventh to be held and saw dozens of items donated including several bikes and a cello.
The council hopes the initiative will help reduce waste, encourage more sustainable shopping habits and ensure more items are reused rather than thrown away.
Bikes were among the second-hand items sold at Ashford’s pop-up shop. Picture: FCC Environment
Last month, Kent’s first permanent reuse shop opened at the New Romney Household Waste Recycling Centre.
And now a second one will open at the Allington Recycling Centre next month.
It will be followed by the final pop-up shop of the year at Canterbury tip in Vauxhall Road on September 21.
FCC’s education and communications officer, Vikki Sedgwick, said of the Ashford pop-up: “We sold a lovely array of items and had continuous donations to reuse while we were there.
“One item in particular, an iron patio table and chairs, was sold within half an hour of being donated.
KCC cabinet member for environment, David Wimble
“The day always flies by with many conversations about all things reuse and recycling and is lovely to see the local residents so interested and onboard with reuse and doing their part to help the circular economy and climate change.”
Meanwhile, KCC’s cabinet member for environment, David Wimble, added: “As our popular summer reuse pop-up shops come to a close, we’re delighted by the enthusiastic response from customers and local communities alike.
“This marks a significant step forward in our commitment to sustainability, and we’re confident that reuse initiatives across Kent will continue to grow and thrive.”
The reuse container will remain at Ashford HWRC for donations from customers and will act as a feeder site into both the New Romney and Allington shops.
Kent’s first reuse shop opened at the New Romney Household Waste Recycling Centre last month. Picture: Kent County Council
Bosses at FCC say bookings are not required for those visiting its pop-up shops.
The pre-loved items help raise funds for KCC charities such as the Young Lives Foundation and domestic abuse charity, SATEDA.