A new partnership between Essex County Council (ECC) and the Lighthouse Furniture Project has been launched giving residents new opportunities to donate electrical items for repair and reuse.
Residents visiting Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, and Harlow Recycling Centres can now donate larger electrical appliances for repair, reuse and redistribution to individuals and families in need.
Items such as electric cookers, washing machines, fridges and freezers are accepted and will be collected by Lighthouse from new drop-off points at the sites. They will then be repaired and refurbished if required before being tested by Lighthouse engineers.
These items are either passed on or sold at affordable prices in the local community.
This exciting new partnership benefits individuals and families in need, who may be struggling with the cost of living. It also minimises waste in Essex by keeping items in use longer by repair, refurbishment and reuse.
The scheme may be extended to further recycling centres in the future.
Peter Everett, CEO of the Lighthouse Furniture Project said, “As a charity and social enterprise, Lighthouse is excited about this opportunity to access electrical appliances from local recycling centres. Each appliance we can reuse will help us meet the increasing demand for low-cost appliances that can be accessed by anyone that needs them.
"It’s great to know that as local residents donate to Lighthouse through the drop off points, their washing machines, cookers and refrigeration will be helping support others across Essex and making an environmental impact at the same time.”
Cllr Malcolm Buckley, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Waste Reduction and Recycling, said, “I’m delighted to see this partnership with the Lighthouse Furniture Project come to fruition and deliver positive impacts to support the local community. Working like this with others helps to protect our natural resources through the repair and the efficient reuse of materials.”
Visit the Lighthouse Furniture Project website for more information on their work and how you can support them.