Greater Manchester residents have raised over £1 million for local good causes by donating their unwanted household items and buying second-hand through retailer Renue, which opened back in 2021 as three shops based at recycling centres in Altrincham, Irlam and Oldham. They sell used items, from bikes to white goods that are donated by residents.
By reusing these items, the project not only saves them from going to landfill but creates a source of good quality second-hand items for a fraction of the price of new ones, which in this current economic crisis, is helping residents save their money.
Community Fund projects combine creative ways of increasing recycling through community-led activities and programs, such as repair cafes, composting workshops, textile upcycling, cookery courses and even a podcast. The money raised in the shops, and now online through the eBay store, is channelled into the Recycle for Greater Manchester Community Fund and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity. Through the Community Fund, 66 projects across the city region have received a total of £660,000, with a further £300,000 donated to the Mayor’s Charity to combat homelessness across the city region.
The Renew Hub, operated by SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK as part of the GMCA waste contract, has its central location in Trafford Park for sorting, repairing and upcycling the hundreds of tonnes of donations that come in from the 20 recycling centres across Greater Manchester.
Cllr Tom Ross, GMCA lead for the Environment, Waste and Recycling, said ‘’ Greater Manchester residents have been instrumental in the success of the Renew project and with their help, I believe we can build a thriving, green and sustainable economy for the future.”
Dan Carolan, SUEZ Greater Manchester Contract Director, said: “It is a fantastic achievement to reach £1m in revenue since the Renew project launched. I’d like to thank Greater Manchester residents for donating items and shopping with Renew, as without their support none of this would be possible.”
