Earlier this month, Newport residents were encouraged to donated unwanted toys to the network of reuse shops operated by Wastesavers across the borough’s nine HWRCs.
The toys were sold across two days. Wastesavers managed to sell more than 720 bags, with all proceeds going to small local charities, largely food banks.
Alun Harries, charity manager with Wastesavers, said: “The public response to our call for donations was fantastic. We had thousands of toys donated and we wish to thank everybody who took part.
“Many of these toys would almost certainly have ended up in recycling skips – they have now found a good home.”
Mr Harries added: “This first Christmas ‘£1 a bag of toys’ far exceeded our expectations. It really has helped make Christmas a bit more affordable for many families in these tough times.”
The nine shops are still said to have toys at “super low prices” and want to clear their shelves by Christmas.
We really hope this made a difference
- Beth Rosser, reuse shop manager, Pentrebach HWRC
Important
Beth Rosser, manager of The Den shop at the Roseheyworth HWRC and the New Lease of Life shop at Pentrebach, said: “You just have to look at the faces of some of the children we’ve had come in, and their parents, to see how important this was for them.
“We really hope this made a difference – and of course we also raised money for our local food bank.”
Wastesavers is a charity and a social enterprise. Its charitable operations include the PEAK project and a range of activities at reuse centres.
The “socially owned trading subsidiary of Wastesavers Charitable Trust”, Wastesavers Recycling Ltd, runs recycling services for the company. Wastesavers Recycling carries out commercial waste collections, including for Newport council.
Subscribe for free