Routes to Reuse Report published

Commenting on the publication of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) report, “Routes to reuse – Maximising value from reused materials”, Charles Craft, Managing Director of London Re-use Network said:

“The LGA’s report gives a welcome boost to the case for properly integrated re-use services of the kind LRN is supporting here in the capital. We wholeheartedly support extending retailer take back schemes alongside developing the capacity of the re-use sector to handle greater volumes to increase the levels of re-use and recycling.

“We agree that making consumer convenience a central principle when designing re-use services – through better pick up and drop off facilities – is a key to the success of the sector. Over the last three years we have worked closely with WRAP and LWaRB to blaze a pioneering trail for re-use in the capital, and some of the report’s recommendations are already being acted on in London. For example, LRN’s own network of member organisations offers white goods and electrical items with warrantees of up to 12 months as a way of giving buyers peace of mind while encouraging them to buy perfectly usable re-usable household goods. We know from our own extensive experience that the public really values this kind of reassurance.

“The report also rightly identifies the ability of local authorities to generate potential savings through the newly localised Social Fund. LRN has been delivering Social Fund fulfilment to London boroughs since April 2013 and it certainly increases the opportunities to re-use household items while unlocking the economic value of London’s waste.

“It’s good news that the commission recommends a profile-raising national campaign to increase awareness of re-use on the ground. Our own strong branding and strategic marketing have helped to raise awareness and increase levels of re-use in the capital and so the national awareness campaign proposed by the LGA commission is a welcome development.”