Reuse shop opens at recycling centre to cut waste

The reuse shop will allow people to buy items that would otherwise become waste (pictured left to right are Middlesbrough councillor Peter Gavigan, SUEZ regional director Steve Patterson, Stockton Council's leader Lisa Evans and Amanda Padfield, SUEZ director of public sector development)

A new shop has opened at a recycling centre to allow people to buy second-hand items in an effort to help the environment.

The Teesside Reuse Shop has opened at Tees Valley Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Haverton Hill, near Billingham, which is used by both Stockton-on-Tees and Middlesbrough councils.

The local authorities said the shop would help hit their net-zero and recycling targets.

Middlesbrough Labour councillor Peter Gavigan said too many appliances and household items were "simply thrown away long before the end of their useful life".

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's leader, Labour's Lisa Evans, said the shop would help the environment while offering "residents a practical way to save money and bag a bargain".

The shop is part of the councils' plans to recycle more material

The reuse shop was opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from both authorities.

It will be run by Suez Recycling and Recovery UK and was opened as part of its contract extension to run the site until 2031.

Suez's regional director Steve Patterson said: "The shop is an example of how we can all play our part in reducing waste and creating value for our communities."