Introduction
Recycling is great, but reducing and reusing is even better.
Reduce waste by avoiding creating it in the first place, buying differently and buying fewer new things.
Reusing items, for their original purpose or a new purpose, gives them a new lease of life and helps us reduce waste.
Simply giving or receiving ‘passed on’ items – borrowing or for keeps – helps us both reduce and reuse.
Depending on the interests of your community group and the space available, you may wish to focus on particular types of items. For example:
- Toy libraries are great for groups supporting children and young people
- Gardening clubs may be interested in saving money by sharing more expensive tools, like hedge trimmers or shredders
- Hobby and craft clubs share equipment and gadgets to help other enthusiasts
SHARE Frome – a library of things is a community charitable venture that lends out donated items to local people. From power tools to camping gear, party lighting to PA systems, kids costumes to candy floss machines, SHARE Frome has over 800 items to borrow, all a great prices.
SHARE also has other services they offer such as customer repairs, a mini charity shop and they hire out their town centre space to others. They also have a Library of Things Starters Kit full of useful resources that people can use to start their own Library of Things.
Toy libraries
- Wellington Toy Library
- Toy Library stay and play sessions – at Frome Library
Online exchange platforms
Freegle, Freecycle and other free exchange websites are a great way to offer usable items you no longer need, and for others to request them. There are many established local groups in Somerset with thousands of active members – they are worth joining.
Local free exchange groups in Somerset include:
- Chard, Beaminster and Bridport Freegle
- Chard Freecycle
- Minehead Exmoor Freegle – Exmoor
- Frome Freegle
- Frome Freecycle
- Minehead Exmoor Freegle
- Minehead Freecycle
- Shepton Mallet, Wells and Street Freegle
- Shepton Mallet, Wells and Street Freecycle
- Taunton Freegle
- Taunton Freecycle
- West Somerset Clutter Busters
- Yeovil Freegle
- Yeovil Freecycle
For links to the national organisations and other local groups around the UK see Freegle and Freecycle
Alternatively, look up your local area’s Facebook “buy and sell” page.
Charity shops
By donating or buying from charity shops you are contributing to reducing and reusing, as well as saving money.
Whether it is clothes, furniture, bric-a-bric or electricals, charity shopping or donating also generates much needed income for good causes.
A number of charity shops sell donated good quality furniture alongside bric-a-brac, books and clothing to raise much needed funds.
The British Heart Foundation Furniture and Electrical store in Taunton can offer a free collection of unwanted furniture and electrical items to raise funds. Contact them on 0844 248 9122 or visit British Heart Foundation for queries or to arrange a collection. Dorothy House Hospice Care and a furniture shop in Frome.
St Margaret’s Hospice can offer a free collection of some furniture. To find out more visit their website book your free collection collection.
Most charity shops sell everyday items such as bric-a-brac, CDs, clothing, DVDs and toys, so please consider donating your unbroken and unwanted items to a charity shop rather than sending them to a landfill.
A number of charities also collect items like foreign currency, mobile phones, printer cartridges, and stamps which are recycled or refurbished to raise funds.
To find your nearest charity shop outlet, see the Charity Retail Association website.
You may also be interested in Local Furniture Reuse Organisations which collect some reusable furniture, appliances and miscellaneous items to help people in need.
Scraps stores
Businesses can donate clean, safe unwanted materials (such as foam off-cuts, textiles and plastic lids). Scrapstores sell these materials at a low cost to schools and community groups for reuse in arts and crafts projects.
Scrap stores in Somerset:
Address: Unit 7 Dyehouse Lane, Glastonbury, BA6 9LZ
Phone: 01458 832345
Email: info@yeastscrapstore.co.uk
Facebook: Yeast Scrapstore
Yeovil Scrapstore and Community Resource Service
Address: The Community Resource Centre, 27 Market Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HZ
Phone: 01935 472407
Email: scrapstore@thehubyeovil.co.uk
And outside Somerset County:
The Childrens Scrapstore, Weston-super-Mare
Address: The Motex Centre, Winterstoke Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 3YW
Phone: 01934 416286
Furniture reuse
Instead of throwing usable unwanted furniture and household appliances away, you can arrange to have suitable items collected and re-used by Somerset’s three furniture reuse projects.
Furniture and appliances collected by these groups are provided at low cost to members of the community on restricted incomes. ‘Engage in Alcombe’ has a dual pricing system so everyone can buy furniture for reuse.
Type of furniture items the groups take
A whole range of furniture and household items, including electrical appliances, can be accepted. You will need to contact your local reuse group to check if they can reuse your item. Items must be in reusable condition, and furniture such as sofas must be made of the suitable fire resistant material now required by law.
For a list of items accepted by the Furniture reuse groups, please use the links below.
Accepted furniture
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ItemTable and chairs | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemWardrobe | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemWall unit | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemBookcase | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemSideboard | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemDressing table | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemChest of drawers | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemSofa | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemArmchair | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemBeds | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemFuton | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemSofa bed | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemCane furniture | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ItemTable and chairs | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemWardrobe | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemWall unit | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemBookcase | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemSideboard | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemDressing table | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemChest of drawers | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemSofa | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemArmchair | Accepted - Yes or noYes (Small) | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemBeds | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemFuton | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemSofa bed | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemCane furniture | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ItemTable and chairs | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemWardrobe | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemWall unit | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemBookcase | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemSideboard | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemDressing table | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemChest of drawers | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemSofa | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemArmchair | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemBeds | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemFuton | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemSofa bed | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesAll with fire labels |
| ItemCane furniture | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
Accepted electricals
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no |
|---|---|
| ItemWashing machine | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemFridges or freezers | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemMicrowave | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemCooker (electric) | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemSmall electrical (Please check) | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemElectric recliner chair | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemRadio / CD player | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemTV and CD player | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemComputer | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemLawn mower (Electrical) | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no |
|---|---|
| ItemWashing machine | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemFridges or freezers | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemMicrowave | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemCooker (electric) | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemSmall electrical (Please check) | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemElectric recliner chair | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemRadio / CD player | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemTV and CD player | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemComputer | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| ItemLawn mower (Electrical) | Accepted - Yes or noNo |
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no |
|---|---|
| ItemWashing machine | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemFridges or freezers | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemMicrowave | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemCooker (electric) | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemSmall electrical (Please check) | Accepted - Yes or noYes, does not accept personal items such as foot spas or hair tongs. |
| ItemElectric recliner chair | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemRadio / CD player | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemTV and CD player | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemComputer | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
| ItemLawn mower (Electrical) | Accepted - Yes or noYes |
Accepted miscellaneous items
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ItemBlanket, throw, towel | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemBed linen | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemCurtains and blinds | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemClothes horse | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemIroning board | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemMirror | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemRug | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemOffice furniture | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemBicycle | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemLadder (aluminium only) | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ItemBlanket, throw, towel | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemBed linen | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemCurtains and blinds | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemClothes horse | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemIroning board | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemMirror | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemRug | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemOffice furniture | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| ItemBicycle | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesGood condition |
| ItemLadder (aluminium only) | Accepted - Yes or noNo | Notes |
| Item | Accepted - Yes or no | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ItemBlanket, throw, towel | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemBed linen | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemCurtains and blinds | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemClothes horse | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemIroning board | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemMirror | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesClean and good condition |
| ItemRug | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemOffice furniture | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesNot large |
| ItemBicycle | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesGood condition |
| ItemLadder (aluminium only) | Accepted - Yes or noYes | NotesGood condition |
Reuse groups in Somerset
Details for reuse groups in Somerset are shown below.
Fair Frome Furniture Bank (operates furniture referral scheme in BA11 area and surrounding villages only)
Address: Fair Frome Centre, Unit 7 Longacre, Martson Estate, Frome BA11 4BG
Phone: 01373 488578 or 07718 652991 and ask for Lenka, the Furniture Bank Co-ordinator
Email: furniturebank@fairfrome.org
Opening times: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 1pm to 5pm or Friday 9am to 1pm.
Please note: Fair Frome Furniture Bank is not open to public for browsing.
Regrettably, FurnEquip (Glastonbury) has now closed. Please consider using other charity outlets below (quality items for fundraising) or you may like to use online giveaway networks.
Engage Furniture Reuse Project
Address: Ground Floor, Alcombe Village Hall, Marshfield Road, Alcombe, TA24 6AQ
Phone: 01643 707484
Opening times: Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm
Closed Monday and Sunday and Bank Holidays
Furnitrust (Home Furniture Services Trust)
Furnitrust Facebook page
Address: 37-39 Bridge Street, Taunton, TA1 1TP
Phone: 01823 253053 (please also ring this number to check opening times of their Priorswood branch)
Email: info@furnitrust.org.uk
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
St Margaret’s Hospice
St Margaret’s Hospice can offer a free collection of some furniture. To find out more visit their website book your free collection collection.
British Heart Foundation
British Heart Foundation can offer a free collection of some furniture, appliances and other items in parts of the county. For full details of what can and cannot be collected and if the service covers your area, visit Book a free furniture and electrical goods collection near me – BHF.