{"id":317195,"date":"2025-12-15T12:49:34","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T12:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/317195\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T12:49:34","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T12:49:34","slug":"we-popped-into-the-re-use-shop-at-bury-st-edmunds-recycling-centre-to-see-what-christmas-presents-we-could-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/317195\/","title":{"rendered":"We popped into the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre to see what Christmas presents we could buy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I set myself a challenge: to go to the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds<\/a> recycling centre and see what Christmas presents I could buy for a total of \u00a310.<\/p>\n

And, in the spirit of Christmas, we decided to donate the gifts to the Gatehouse charity\u2019s festive appeal for 2025<\/a>, which was launched in partnership with the Bury Free Press.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"InsideInside the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre. Picture: Mariam Ghaemi<\/p>\n

Earlier this week the county council had issued a press release about the shop \u2013 as well as the one at Foxhall recycling centre \u2013 being a \u2018hidden gem\u2019 for Christmas gifts and decorations.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The items are checked and are in good condition, and sales from the donated items help to support the work of the Benjamin Foundation.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Christmas section at the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre. Picture: Mariam Ghaemi<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

I was really hoping for a good haul of quality items when I popped in and this is what I came away with.<\/p>\n

\u2666 Cranium \u2013 \u00a32<\/p>\n

\u2666 Puppet book and chart \u2013 \u00a33<\/p>\n

\u2666 \u2018Over 2,000 Magical Things to Find\u2019 book \u2013 \u00a31<\/p>\n

\u2666 Colouring book \u2013 \u00a32<\/p>\n

\u2666 Castle siege scene \u2013 \u00a31<\/p>\n

\u2666 Puzzle cube \u2013 \u00a31<\/p>\n

\"WhatWhat we bought for \u00a310. Picture: Mariam Ghaemi<\/p>\n

I focused on children\u2019s activity and family games, thinking these could bring some extra fun to someone\u2019s Christmas.<\/p>\n

The items were of such a high quality and very reasonably priced (Cranium can retail for \u00a315 or higher) that I\u2019m considering shopping here again for presents.<\/p>\n

In a survey by First News, the UK\u2019s only children\u2019s newspaper, 70 per cent of readers said they would be happy to receive second-hand gifts this Christmas.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"ThisThis is our haul, for \u00a310, from the re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds recycling centre. Picture: Suzanne Day<\/p>\n

Paul Sinclair, The Benjamin Foundation\u2019s managing director, said: \u201cThe thoughtfulness of Suffolk\u2019s residents to donate items through Suffolk\u2019s recycling centres, and buy them at our re-use shops, really does make a difference in supporting the work that we do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time of year, we tend to see a drop in people coming into the re-use shops. But I\u2019d encourage people to reverse this trend for two reasons.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirstly, it\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why not give it a try?<\/p>\n

\u2666 More detail about recycling and re-use shops in Suffolk can be found here<\/a> or by following @SuffolkRecyclingCentres on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow @Re-use Shop Ipswich<\/a> and @Re-use Shop Bury St Edmunds<\/a> on Facebook for specific shop promotions.<\/p>\n

During December, the re-use shops will be running a social media campaign with different offers.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n