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London re-use network exceeds targets |
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9 Nov 2012, 6:29 PM
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London Re-use Network (LRN) has exceeded its re-use and recycling targets by an impressive 30%; growing by 2,590 tonnes this year (2011/2012), according to its latest annual update.
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The Network is on track to hit a target of handling an additional 13,365 tonnes in its fifth year thanks to the £2.086 million it has invested in a network of re-use facilities and shops across the capital. It is made up of re-use projects, including charities, that work together to collect, repair and sell unwanted furniture, appliances and household items, giving them new homes across London. In addition, London Re-use Network arranges and provides employment, skills development, training and volunteer opportunities.
Thirty full and part-time jobs were saved or created in the first year of the network's operation. In addition 116 training, volunteering and work placements were created by the network. LRN aims to build on this and use a £10 million investment to create 190 new jobs, more than 3,000 training and apprenticeship places, over 3,700 volunteering places, and 1,660 work placements by March 2016.
In May the re-use body approved a plan, along with £180,000 funding, for a new re-use facility and training centre in Camden and Islington, which will also be funded by both boroughs. As well as offering re-use services Reuse in Camden and Islington (RICI) will create over 260 training, volunteer and work placements by 2016.
Smuggler's Way appliance and furniture workshop in Wandsworth is now fully operational with 15 trainees at the site. The centre takes white goods from the network's hotline service. It also collects from the public re-use bay, as well as from other network members across London.
LRN's re-use hotline (020 3142 8506) enables people in Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth, Kensington & Chelsea, and Lambeth to book collections for household items including furniture and appliances. In the first nine months the service handled more than 5,000 calls; collected nearly 6,000 re-usable household items weighing a total of 143 tonnes and collected £34,000 in fees that can be ploughed back into developing re-use services. The network's online pick up and donations service went live in April this year, and work is under way to make it even easier for customers to use: http://www.londonreuse.org/.
New network member Connection Re-use, won £300,000 in funding from LRN to open a commercial depot in East London - boosting re-use capacity and handling ability in that part of the capital while supporting the network's commercial offer. And a £460,000 investment from London Re-use Network means a new West London Re-use Centre will open in Greenford in late 2012. It is expected to save 8,900 tonnes of re-usable material from going to landfill or incineration in the first five years.
Commenting, Charles Craft, Managing Director of London Re-use says: "We've surpassed our re-use and recycling targets this year, and the £2.086 million we've invested in depots, hubs and shops across the capital has significantly boosted the network's ability to divert tonnes of re-usable household items away from landfill. Not only do these results show that we can deliver top quality re-use services they demonstrate our commitment to bringing real employment and training benefits to Londoners.
"Having established successful partnerships with local authorities, housing associations and commercial organisations, our network members are keen to build on our success to date."
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