Reuse

Many items can be reused for the same purpose or reused for different purposes. So before you throw items away, stop and think, could they be reused, either by yourself or by someone else? Below are some items that can be reused and how:

• Furniture and white goods 
• Textiles 
• Paint
• Freegle
• Ebay, jumble sales or car boot sales
• Nappies

Furniture and white goods

Are you replacing your old sofa, fridge-freezer, small electrical item or other furniture? Is it still in good condition or working order? If so, it could be sent to another good home rather than landfill.

If you think your old furniture or electrical item is in good condition please consider re-use. Wirral-based charities will accept donations of unwanted furniture in good condition for refurbishment and re-sale in their shops.

Wirral Independent Recycling Enterprise (WIRE) (currently awaiting Charity Status) - Collects pre-loved furniture in good condition.

Tel: 0151 638 6691

Textiles

Textiles are harmful to the environment if disposed of in landfill due to the biodegradable content breaking down to produce methane. Donate them to charities so they can be reused or recycled.

Your waste textiles can help provide much needed funds to your local charities. Donating your textiles to charity is a win-win situation; most charities will accept poor quality items as well as good quality items that can be resold.

Items such as your old socks that have holes in them, old towels, dishcloths and bedding you don’t use anymore, even old teddies - all have a value and are welcomed at all recycling banks located in Wirral.

Pass it on: Give your unwanted items a new home. Don’t throw away the things you don’t need any more – there’s somebody out there who could benefit from them. For more information about textiles and clothes recycling download the Textile Reuse leaflet or visit the Recycle for Merseyside and Halton website. 

Disposal of Paint

Wirral residents can donate unwanted but usable household paint to a local ‘Repaint’ scheme based in Wallasey.

The scheme can only accept usable, household paint, they are unable to accept:

• Industrial paint

• Paint displaying orange toxic symbols

• Paint that is old, rusty, mouldy or smelly - indicating that it has gone off

If you would like to donate paint, please contact the scheme to discuss a suitable time to drop off your paint.

Their opening times are:

• Mon/Wed/Fri: 1pm - 5pm (Summer time)

• Mon/Wed/Fri: 1pm - 4pm (Winter time)

Alternatively their address is:

Wirral Environmental Network

The Sandon Building

Falkland Road

Wallasey

CH44 8ER

Tel: 0151 639 2121

Freegle

Don’t throw it away – give it away on Freegle.

You might not need your old sofa or wheelbarrow any more –but there might be someone just round the corner who does. Or if there's something you'd like, someone nearby might have one that they might just throw away if they don't know what else to do with it.

Freegle groups make this happen online. Sign up, post an OFFER of something you want to get rid of, or a WANTED for something you need.

Ebay, jumble sales or car boot sales

 Are you replacing items or just having a clear out?  Are your items still working and/or in good condition? You can also sell your items on eBay or at a local jumble or car boot sales.

Reusable Nappies

There is a choice when it comes to the type of nappy to use on your baby. 

Today, there is a wide range of stylishly designed, modern shaped and well-fitted washable cloth or ‘real’ nappies.  Today’s nappies are easy to use and can be simply washed on their own or washed with the rest of the laundry, or, you could use a nappy laundering service. 

The 'Go Real' website provides further information and advice.