Charity boss calls for furniture reuse

The boss of a Manchester charity is backing a Manchester City Council campaign asking residents to donate unwanted furniture.

The City Council's waste and recycling team is working with the Ancoats-based Mustard Tree homeless charity to draw attention to the thousands of old beds, wardrobes and sofas which are thrown away every year - most of which end up on the tip.

To draw attention to this the City Council has now created a portable living room, made up of furniture that has been thrown away by Manchester residents, which will travel the city next week.

The 'room' will be based on Chorlton precinct on Wilbraham Road on Wednesday August 11, and outside Asda in Harpurhey the following day, with representatives from the recycling team and charities such as the Mustard Tree on hand to provide information.

Paul Wenham, chief executive of the Mustard Tree, based on Oldham Road, said donations were essential to helping homeless people, and they provided furniture for more than 1,500 individuals last year.

The charity can collect from anywhere in Greater Manchester within four days, and will go into houses to make collections.

He said: "Furniture which some people would consider ready for the tip can make a huge difference to people who have been living in a hostel or on the street and are moving into a new home.

"It may seem like a small thing, but it makes the difference from somewhere being an empty shell to it being a home they can feel proud of. As long as it's clean and in good condition we'll take it and we offer a free collection service from anywhere in Greater Manchester."

Councillor Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: "A lot of good items of furniture are thrown away every year, ending up on landfill sites, and these could easily be reused by many of the city's charities who now need these items more than ever."
 
Anyone who has items of furniture they think can be re-used should contact The Mustard Tree on 0161 228 7331 or the City Council's Environment On Call on 0161 954 9000. There is also further information on the Council's website at www.manchester.gov.uk/recycling.