Residents across Leicestershire can now give unwanted household items a new lease of life, with ReHome Zones officially open at all 13 recycling and household waste sites across the county.
The initiative encourages residents to donate good-quality items they no longer need, helping to reduce waste, promote reuse and give everyday household goods a second chance rather than sending them for disposal.
A wide range of items can be taken to the ReHome Zones, including household and garden furniture, home office equipment, bicycles and scooters, as well as handheld and petrol-powered DIY and gardening tools such as lawnmowers. Electrical and electronic items are not accepted.
Residents visiting a recycling and household waste site can place suitable items in the designated ReHome Zone area, where they will be collected by the council's reuse partner and sold on for reuse by other people. Residents are reminded that items in these areas are not available for public collection, and cannot be removed from the site.
To be accepted, items must be clean, in good working order and require no more than light cleaning. Soft furnishings must have a compliant fire safety label attached. Some minor cosmetic wear may be acceptable, but items should not be damaged, modified or affected by significant scratches, chips, cracks or broken parts.
Councillor Adam Tilbury, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for environment and waste, said:
“It's fantastic that ReHome Zones are now available at all 13 of our recycling and household waste sites, making it even easier for residents to give unwanted items a new lease of life.
“Every item that is reused is one fewer item that needs to be disposed of, helping us reduce waste and make better use of valuable resources. Whether it's furniture, tools, office equipment or a child's scooter, many items still have plenty of life left in them and could be invaluable to someone else.
“I'd encourage residents to think about reuse before disposal and make use of the ReHome Zones whenever they visit one of our sites.”
By choosing to reuse rather than throw away, residents can help reduce the amount of waste produced across the county while supporting the circular economy and extending the lifespan of everyday household items.
For more information about accepted items and to find the nearest ReHome Zone, visit https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/waste-and-recycling/how-do-i-dispose-of#R
