Charity decides to end its reuse service links
A NEW group is needed to give a new lease of life to unwanted household goods, as charity Go (Giving Opportunities) is leaving Longue Hougue.
The charity, which supports islanders who experience social or workplace disadvantages, has been working with Guernsey Waste since 2017 to encourage items to be reused.
Chairwoman Justine Gaudion said the partnership had been successful, but the charity had decided it needed to refocus its activities when the current contract expires in mid-2022.
‘The partnership has been such an amazing journey for our staff and trainees, it was a very difficult decision to move on, but providing quality training experiences became a challenge when managing the volume,’ she said.
‘With the original contract coming to an end, it was the right time to refocus our attention on Go’s core aim.
‘That is providing training opportunities for islanders to overcome barriers to employment due to social or communication difficulties.
‘We think the time is right to give someone else this unique opportunity and we wish to thank the States team for giving us both the opportunity and their full support throughout our journey.’
Guernsey Waste is now seeking expressions of interest from charities, not-for-profit organisations or businesses who could help provide the reuse service, which currently finds new homes for more than 100 tonnes of unwanted household items through Go’s charity shop each year.
Any new contractor could take over the current reuse operation based at the household waste and recycling centre at Longue Hougue.
Alternatively, the service could involve a partnership with a number of organisations, to provide a network of reuse channels, each potentially specialising in different items.
Waste prevention and recycling officer Tina Norman-Ross said that in 2016, 24 tonnes of materials were recorded as being taken by members of the public from the old civic amenity site.
Since the current arrangement was put in place with Go, this figure had steadily increased, rising to 76 tonnes in 2017.
In 2020 the total was 148 tonnes of items diverted, ranging from children’s toys and bric-a-brac to large items and furniture.
‘Guernsey’s waste strategy is based on the waste hierarchy which puts prevention and reuse as its priority and the facility at Longue Hougue has a major part to play in delivering this,’ she said.
‘We are very open to suggestions. Realistically, it is probably unlikely that we will find another charity like Go which can offer the same one stop shop approach.
‘So we are looking at all the options and would be happy to change the current model, for instance more like a repair and reuse network, where individual organisations could join together.
‘They would maybe specialise in certain types of items, such as furniture or vinyl records, or specific skills, like management, logistics, retail, or refurbishment and repair.’
n For further information and to register interest contact Mrs Norman-Ross by email recycle@gov.gg or telephone 221234.
The deadline for expressions of interest is noon on 4 April.
