Swap, donate and buy old items
See how you can sustainably get dispose of old items below.
So, you've got a new bike... ever thought of what happens to the old one?
Why not donate it?
Swapping, donating and buying second-hand items is a great way to be environmentally friendly when upgrading goods. Your trash could be someone else's treasure.
An easy way to reuse something is to donate it to your local charity shop who will sell it on. For more information on your local charity shops visit:
Computer recycling
- IT Schools Africa is a registered charity that collects old computer equipment and distributes it free to schools in Africa. For more information or to donate equipment please call 01242 228800 or email info@itschoolsafrica.org
- Hemplan Design is a commercial organisation where you can drop off computer equipment for free but there is a charge for collection
Unwanted furniture and electrical goods
Around Gloucestershire there are many other charitable organisations that will also take your unwanted furniture (which must meet the latest fire regulation standards) and electrical goods. The furniture is then sold on cheaply, providing an essential service to people on low incomes. The charities also provide much needed training and employment opportunities for their local area:
- British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical stores take donations of any good quality, unwanted furniture and electrical items.
Tel: 01452 401980. - Emmaus have a secondhand superstore in Gloucester, and shops in Nailsworth, Cheltenham and Stroud and collect donated furniture and white goods from Gloucester, Cheltenham, Stroud valley and surrounding areas.
Tel: 01452 413095 - Furniture Recycling Project (FRP) helps create a better community through the reuse of furniture, electrical and household items.
For donations or enquiries please contact our shops: - Gloucester (01452 302303)
- Forest of Dean (01594 844419)
- Cheltenham (01242 220296)
- Tewkesbury (01684 292745)
- Forest Furniture Bank (Browns Traders) helps those in need by giving away the furniture (and various other household items) people donate to them to those who have none. They aim to better preserve and protect the environment (for the public benefit and future generations) by promoting waste reduction and recycling. For more information visit the Forest Furniture Bank Facebook page or call: 07802 648796.
- Forest Upcycling Project trains and works with unemployed people in the Forest of Dean and can collect unwanted furniture and electrical items free of charge. The items are then made available to disadvantaged groups. Tel: 01594 368240 forestupcyclingproject.com
- Roundabout, Evesham based charity which recycles and reuses household furniture and effects donated from the public and distributed to those in need. Tel: 01386 833030.
- Stroud District Furniture Bank helps residents recycle their unwanted furniture, appliances and bric-a-brac by providing a free removal service. Items are then offered to families and individuals in need at affordable prices. Tel: 01453 367260. strouddistrictfurniturebank.org.uk
Leisure equipment
Gloucestershire Bike Project can make good use of your old bike and also offers a range of refurbished and fully serviced adult and children's bikes for sale.
Garden plastic
The Butterfly Garden accepts unwanted horticultural plastics for recycling. They also recycle a range of other materials including CD's/ DVD's, VHS tapes, Aluminium,Tin,wood and cardboard.
Our Household Recycling Centres also accept items for reuse, as well as recycling. Every site also collects bikes for the Gloucestershire Bike Project. Please ask a member of site staff for more details.
We are currently piloting a reuse shop at Fosse Cross Household Recycling Centre and invite members of the public to visit it during site opening hours.