Recycling and recovery
Reuse and reinvest: Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund opens for 2026
SUEZ has launched the Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund for 2026, building on another successful year supporting local projects and communities across the city.
The £5,000 fund will provide grants to local groups delivering environmental, wellbeing and community-led initiatives. In 2025, the fund supported 10 community groups and schools across Aberdeen, with grants awarded to a range of projects making a real difference at a local level.
The initiative is funded by Aberdeen’s reuse shops, operated by SUEZ as part of its waste and recycling contract with Aberdeen City council. The original Reuse Shop at Hazlehead Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) opened in July 2022 with support from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund, has now been joined by a newly built shop at Bridge of Don. The new shop further expands access to affordable, high-quality reused items while increasing the volume of materials diverted from waste.
The two shops will play a key role in the city’s transition to a more circular economy. In 2025 alone, more than 31,000 items were diverted from disposal, helping reduce waste and support local residents with affordable goods.
Hazlehead Reuse Shop is also currently undergoing renovation and will reopen in the summer, meaning Aberdeen will soon benefit from two fully operational reuse shops serving communities across the city.
Colin Forshaw, Production Operations Manager at SUEZ, said: “We’re excited to be reopening the 2026 Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund which is driven by people in Aberdeen choosing to reuse rather than throw away and buy new. Purchasing high-quality preloved goods at the reuse shops directly funds projects that benefit the environment and local communities across the city. With the new shop at Bridge of Don now open and Hazlehead undergoing renovation, we can’t wait to see reuse continue to grow.”
“Last year we supported a wide range of projects, and we’re keen to see both returning groups and new applicants come forward. The fund is open to all not-for-profits, charities and schools who want to improve their local environment, support health and wellbeing or help those who need it most.”
Last year’s funding supported a diverse range of projects, from youth engagement and food growing to environmental action.
Mohamed, Secretary at Masjid Alhikmah and Community Centre said: “This funding has helped us support families in our local community with essential items and bring people together. It’s made a real difference, not just to those receiving support, but to the wider community as well.”
Sue Callan, Chair at Slopefield Allotments, said : “The funding has helped us continue improving biodiversity across the allotments while creating valuable opportunities for local schoolchildren to learn about wildlife, growing food and the environment. We are especially proud of the intergenerational partnership with Airyhall School and the new community relationships that have come from the project. The new planters will support pollinators and outdoor learning for years to come, and we’re very grateful for the support provided through the Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund.”
Aberdeen City Council waste and recycling manager Kristine Hultman said: “"Aberdeen's reuse shops are a fantastic example of a circular economy in action. Not only do they reduce waste and provide quality, affordable pre-loved household items to residents but they also reinvest back into local charities, schools and community led projects through the Reuse Community Fund."
The Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund is accepting applications now. Interested groups can apply before Friday 19th June through ActionFunder.
The initiative is funded by Aberdeen’s reuse shops, operated by SUEZ as part of its waste and recycling contract with Aberdeen City council. The original Reuse Shop at Hazlehead Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) opened in July 2022 with support from the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund, has now been joined by a newly built shop at Bridge of Don. The new shop further expands access to affordable, high-quality reused items while increasing the volume of materials diverted from waste.
The two shops will play a key role in the city’s transition to a more circular economy. In 2025 alone, more than 31,000 items were diverted from disposal, helping reduce waste and support local residents with affordable goods.
Hazlehead Reuse Shop is also currently undergoing renovation and will reopen in the summer, meaning Aberdeen will soon benefit from two fully operational reuse shops serving communities across the city.
Colin Forshaw, Production Operations Manager at SUEZ, said: “We’re excited to be reopening the 2026 Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund which is driven by people in Aberdeen choosing to reuse rather than throw away and buy new. Purchasing high-quality preloved goods at the reuse shops directly funds projects that benefit the environment and local communities across the city. With the new shop at Bridge of Don now open and Hazlehead undergoing renovation, we can’t wait to see reuse continue to grow.”
“Last year we supported a wide range of projects, and we’re keen to see both returning groups and new applicants come forward. The fund is open to all not-for-profits, charities and schools who want to improve their local environment, support health and wellbeing or help those who need it most.”
Last year’s funding supported a diverse range of projects, from youth engagement and food growing to environmental action.
Mohamed, Secretary at Masjid Alhikmah and Community Centre said: “This funding has helped us support families in our local community with essential items and bring people together. It’s made a real difference, not just to those receiving support, but to the wider community as well.”
Sue Callan, Chair at Slopefield Allotments, said : “The funding has helped us continue improving biodiversity across the allotments while creating valuable opportunities for local schoolchildren to learn about wildlife, growing food and the environment. We are especially proud of the intergenerational partnership with Airyhall School and the new community relationships that have come from the project. The new planters will support pollinators and outdoor learning for years to come, and we’re very grateful for the support provided through the Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund.”
Aberdeen City Council waste and recycling manager Kristine Hultman said: “"Aberdeen's reuse shops are a fantastic example of a circular economy in action. Not only do they reduce waste and provide quality, affordable pre-loved household items to residents but they also reinvest back into local charities, schools and community led projects through the Reuse Community Fund."
The Aberdeen Reuse Community Fund is accepting applications now. Interested groups can apply before Friday 19th June through ActionFunder.