Cornwall’s re-use network gives new life to preloved items

Cornwall, like many regions in the UK, is tackling the growing challenge of household waste head-on. But instead of just focusing on recycling or disposal, Cornwall Council partnered with SUEZ to make re-use the norm. This project is about making re-use visible, accessible and valuable – not just environmentally, but socially too.

In a time where the cost of living continues to bite, especially for young people, students and low-income families, this approach isn’t just about waste, but of access. Affordable, good quality items shouldn’t be hard to come by, and when they’re diverted from landfill or incineration, everyone wins.

The solution started with a simple idea: when people bring unwanted items to HWRCs, why not offer a second chance to anything that is still useful?

Within five months, five re-use shops were opened at Truro, St. Austell, Falmouth, Launceston and United Mines HWRCs. Each was designed not only to handle preloved goods but to showcase how waste infrastructure can be reimagined.

Every site was carefully developed not just for function, but for long-term impact. The shops were built with sustainability and accessibility in mind, using a range of products including reclaimed materials, refurbished containers, flat level access and solar panels.

These shops are already making a real difference to real people. Students setting up their first homes, families trying to save money, or anyone looking for a quality second-hand item now have better options locally. The community response has been enthusiastic, with many saying it’s “long overdue” and “exactly what Cornwall needs”.

Through media coverage, social media presence and active engagement with Cornwall’s town and parish councils, the message is clear – re-use is for everyone and it’s here to stay.

Since the first re-use shop opened, over 10,000 items – ranging from furniture to bicycles and household essentials – have been saved from disposal and resold affordably to local residents. More than 52 tonnes of materials have been diverted from the waste stream for re-use.

Public response has been overwhelmingly positive. With around 100,000 households now within easy reach of a re-use shop, community members are embracing the opportunity to buy sustainably and affordably.

More than just a feel-good project, this forward thinking, scalable model for Cornwall can turn waste challenges into social and environmental wins. With more shops on the way, and strong support from the council and local groups, the county is setting a new standard for re-use, leading closer towards a future based on a circular economy.