A new reuse and recycling shop has opened on the ground floor of the Keynsham Recycling Hub, offering low-cost quality preloved items donated by residents.
Councillor Tim Ball cutting the ribbon to open the Reuse Shop | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
Donations currently on display include crockery, garden tools, bedside and dining tables, and adult and children’s bikes.
The opening of the shop comes just over four months after Bath & North East Somerset Council opened the recycling centre in Keynsham.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, used donated garden shears to cut the ‘ribbon’ specially made from hessian sacks.
Councillor Ball said: “This is a fantastic way to extend the life cycle of products. Rather than being sent for disposal or recycling, the unwanted items will be reused.
“It is an opportunity for residents to find quality preloved items at affordable prices and the income generated will be used to support the council’s recycling services.
“We will also be actively working with our Welfare Support teams and a network of local charities to ensure that items can be directed to those who can make best use of them.”
The reuse shop will open to residents on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm and Saturday 9.30am to 3pm, although the opening times may vary to ensure there is no impact on queueing times for residents wanting to use the recycling centre.
The council has partnered with Bath Share and Repair to fully check, PAT test and sell small household electrical items, such as lamps, kettles and toasters on site.
Garden waste that has been collected for composting on-site and through the fortnightly green bin service will also be available for purchase from the shop as a peat-free soil conditioner.
Residents wishing to donate preloved items at Keynsham Recycling Centre can drop them in the signposted area to the left outside the Reuse shop entrance.
There is also a donation point at the Bath and Midsomer Norton Recycling Centre. Members of the public can ask a site attendant where they can leave items during opening hours.
