Upcycle your unwanted furniture and help people in need

If you've got items of furniture or electrical goods you no longer want, think twice before throwing them away as they could be of value to someone in your community.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has teamed up with Furniture Mine - a local re-use charity that supports people through employment and training and by distributing donated items to people in need - to help give a new lease of life to pre-loved items.

And two of the Council's waste collection vehicles are sporting Furniture Mine banners to help take the message across the Moorlands as they go about their work visiting over 10,000 properties every week. The crews also have information leaflets for residents interested in the service.

Councillor Arthur Forrester, cabinet member for the environment at the Council, said: "This is an excellent project which is helping people across the district and I'm pleased that we're working with Furniture Mine to raise awareness and to make items available to households across the Moorlands.

"Items that are no longer wanted by some people could be welcomed by others in need and I'd encourage anyone wanting to dispose of items to consider donating them. It's a great way of contributing to your local community."

Furniture items that are suitable for re-use will be collected free of charge by Furniture Mine and checked before being provided to households in need.

Mark Roe, head of operations at Furniture Mine, said: "By donating to us you will be supporting people in need in your local area and reducing the amount of furniture sent for disposal.

"The charity has been running for 25 years and we accept most items of re-usable furniture but we're especially grateful for items such as beds and mattresses, wardrobes, drawers, cupboards, tables and chairs, sofas, armchairs and electrical appliances which are all in high demand."

The charity also operates a second-hand furniture and electrical items sales service from shops on Bridge Street in Newcastle and a new showroom in Victoria Square, Hanley.  More information is available on 01782 414784 / 846111, visit them on Facebook or at www.furnituremine.org.uk

Once you've decided that an item of furniture has outlived its usefulness in your home, you'll want to dispose of it responsibly and safely. If you don't want to donate, or if your items aren't suitable for re-use, Furniture Mine will collect for a charge. Alternatively, you could take it your nearest household waste recycling centre in Biddulph, Cheadle or Leek.

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