OUR IMPACT

Create environmental and social benefits from purchasing reuse

Read our Impact Report

Since 2016…

0kg
diverted from landfill
0tonnes
equivalent CO₂ emissions saved
0
reuse furniture items used
0
low-income households supported

OUR IMPACT ON…

The Planet

  • Buying through the Reuse Consortium has the potential to significantly increase the amount your organisation diverts from landfill and to decrease your organisations CO₂ emissions.
  • Every sofa bought from the Consortium diverts approximately 40kg from going to landfill and saves around 88kg of CO₂.
  • Reusing furniture saves 6 times more CO₂ than recycling.
  • If every local authority in Scotland bought 100 reuse sofas, it would be the equivalent of taking 250 cars off the road for 1 year.

Using re-use items allows us to play our part in the council’s wider commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, preventing good working items being taken to landfill.

Fife Council

Place

  • The Reuse Consortium supports our membership, who in turn support their local communities across Scotland.
  • Every washing machine bought from the Consortium provides over £100 of vital income for a Reuse Consortium member.
  • £100 pays for around 4 hours of training, leading to meaningful employment in struggling communities.
  • If every local authority in Scotland bought 100 reuse washing machines, that would pay for 10 full time jobs in our communities per year.

People

  • Supporting our Reuse Consortium doesn’t just impact our planet and communities, it also supports people on an individual basis.
  • More people in need are helped out of poverty.
  • Provision of quality reuse furniture helps people to move into a home or remain in their home.

I started volunteering with the project 6 months ago as I was out of work and spent most days indoors doing nothing, I was feeling low and worthless and I needed something to get out of the slump I was in. When the Reuse Consortium project started I was involved with the delivery of furniture and white goods. Volunteering gave me motivation and a little self-worth. A paid position became available cleaning and refurbishing white goods and I was offered the job. It was a great opportunity not having worked for a long time, it gave me a boost to my self-confidence and allowed me to feel worthwhile….

Consortium Member Employee

Pounds

  • Our furniture, household items and white goods are extremely good value, helping you stretch your budgets further.
  • Reuse items are around 20 – 60% cheaper than buying new, which will be reflected in your spending when buying through the Reuse Consortium.
  • In 2022/2023 the seven Local Authorities and a Housing Association that purchased through the Reuse Consortium collectively saved approximately £343,000 over buying new.
  • Supporting local employment generates business and stimulates your local economy.

OUR AWARDS

Oct 2023 – Social Enterprise Scotland
Finalist – “Buy Social” Market Builder

Feb 2020 – Scotland Excel
Winner – Supplier Excellence Third Sector & Small Business Category

Feb 2018 – Scotland Excel
Winner – Supplier Excellence

Nov 2017 – Chartered Institution of Wastes Management
Winner- Demonstrating Project Innovation

Nov 2017 – Social Enterprise Scotland
Winner – “Buy Social” Market Builder

June 2017 – Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
Scottish Charity Awards finalist – Pioneering Project