A recycling charity has opened a 1,500 square metre warehouse in Cwmbran selling used items and taking donations.
Upcycle Torfaen is run by the Forest Upcycling Project with branches in Chepstow, Cinderford and Swindon.
I visited a few weeks ago and met Chelsea Durham, from the charity, who told me: “We save all of this from landfill. We save thousands of tonnes from landfill every year. All of this would probably be in the tip if we didn’t pick it up.
“We sell it on but we also donate so say you’re fleeing domestic abuse or you’ve had a house fire or you’ve been homeless and just got a property. We take referrals from the council and social workers. They get five essential items free of charge and then we can do a discount if they want other things.
“At the moment we do house moves, house clearances and deliveries [contact for quotes]. We pick up one-off [items] of furniture.
“We do a free collection service. We take most household items. We take electricals so they are PAT-tested but we also give a five-day guarantee.
“We take books, CDs, DVDs, games. We’re building a record shelf, that’s just going up.”
Any offcuts of wood they can’t sell are turned into ‘pillowcases’ of kindling and sold for £3. Yes, you read that right. The kindling is put in donated pillowcases to avoid buying plastic bags. Customers can return with the same bag and have a refill for £2.50.
A social media post led to over 30 white doors being donated. Ashley, a former trustee and now volunteer in his 80s) built a long wall of them that now houses bookshelves and sections off part of the room to store books and sold items.
The money from any books that are sold is given to a charity in Uganda that has built a school and a house for a teacher.
Clothes will soon be hung on long metal poles that were donated. Ashley has started work on building that section to make it easier for customers to view clothes.
The children’s aisles were packed with toys, strollers, prams, travel cots and more.
The charity also offers volunteering and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities.
Where is Upcycle Torfaen?
The warehouse is at Unit 1, Avondale Industrial Estate, Avondale Way, Cwmbran, NP44 1UG (opposite Solar Buddies and Wiltshire Farm Foods.