Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the number of items saved from the waste stream, the reduction in emissions from reuse instead of waste disposal or compared with purchasing new, and the money raised for local charities. It can also be measured in people's attitudes towards discarding usable items into the waste stream.
Our story
Bristol Waste Company, which is wholly owned by Bristol City Council, runs three household reuse and recycling centres in the city. We also deliver all residential refuse and recycling collections, as well as street cleansing and commercial facilities services to businesses.
We began our reuse work in April 2018 when we started collecting bikes and mobility aids at Recycling Centres and donating them to project partners. In 2020, we opened the first Reuse Shop in the Avonmouth Household Reuse and Recycling Centre. Since then, our Reuse team has saved over 400,000 items from the waste stream. At the same time, we have raised more than £50k for St Peter’s Hospice.
In 2026, Bristol Waste has three Reuse Shops, one at each Household Reuse and Recycling Centre in Bristol. The shops divert usable, good quality, pre-loved items from the waste stream, providing low-cost household products, such as televisions, furniture and vacuums, for residents.
The stock is made up of items donated from residents who visit the Bristol Household Reuse and Recycling Centres. The money raised from selling the items goes back into Reuse at Bristol Waste and 25% of the profit goes directly to local charities.
The Reuse Shops take a huge range of items, including: sports equipment, furniture, technology equipment, garden items, homewares, DIY materials and tools, Bric-a-brac and electrical items.
Electrical items which are in working order are PAT tested and function tested too – ensuring items are safe to use and in good working order.
Our advice
Experiment with the concept by first setting up a "pop-up" shop so you can learn from residents' feedback before opening a permanent shop.
Co-locating inside or near a Recycling Centre improves efficiency in moving items from one place to the next, and provides more opportunities to intercept valuable items in the waste stream.
Offering to take electrical items, usable paint and bikes are a couple of services that are unique to our reuse shop compared with other shops that accept donated items.
A reuse shop is a great way to build better relationships with local residents by providing a new and interesting service that encourages people to think differently about waste.
A reuse shop is a source of incremental operating profit.
