SUEZ Cornwall | Re-use

Putting re-use at the heart of the emerging circular economy

The waste hierarchy is a framework that prioritises waste management options based on what’s best for the environment. It gives top priority to preventing waste in the first place. Re-use sits near the very top of the waste hierarchy. In collaboration with Cornwall Council we’re building a county wide network of re-use solutions to further the circular economy in Cornwall.

SUEZ recycling and recovery UK believes that discarded goods – not least the millions of tonnes of household waste items that end up in recycling centres each year – should be reused to generate economic, environmental, and social value as part of the circular economy.

Kernow Reuse – Cornwall’s re-use shop network
At Kernow Reuse shops, we’re giving new life to pre-loved items. From furniture to electrical goods, many items are suitable for re-use, when cleaned and repaired. Our shops across Cornwall offer a wide selection of high-quality, second-hand goods, helping our local community reduce waste while finding great deals.

Our shops are located throughout Cornwall at the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Truro, St. Austell, Falmouth and United Downs with new items arriving daily. There are more shops set to open across Cornwall in 2025 so please follow us on social media for updates on opening events, special items and promotions.

We are proud to support Cornwall’s local communities through Kernow Reuse Shops making items affordable and accessible We provide job opportunities for people in the community, with a focus on training and skills development. Whether its sorting donations, repairing bikes, electrical testing or working in one of our shops, we create meaningful employment that contributes to Cornwall’s vibrant local economy.

We are committed to supporting charities through the reuse of items, building strong partnerships that make a difference We are continually exploring new opportunities to expand our impact and drive greater social change. We have existing charity partnerships with Hidden Help based near Truro, St. Blazey Recycle Reuse Resale CIC situated near St. Austell, along with our Wetsuit Reuse partnership scheme with The Wave Project, a surf therapy charity based in Newquay Cornwall.

Our aims are:

To reclaim and renew the value of household items, through repair and upcycling, avoiding the destruction of these resources through disposal.

Provide goods to residents at affordable prices for their homes, gardens and hobbies.

Create worthwhile jobs and provide training and skills, for local people, in service of their local communities.

Involve and support community groups, social enterprises, charities and like-minded businesses, in activities that benefit the local economy and society.

Promote public understanding of the circular economy and the role of re-use and waste reduction in advancing sustainability.

The results
In the first two months of opening, we diverted over 3,200 items weighing over 17 tonnes of re-use items. This is approximately equivalent to three African male elephants in weight!

Donate your unwanted goods directly to a re-use organisation

Here are some of the organisation that can receive your reusable items:

Of course, these are also great places where you might find a bargain and be able to give a new home to someone else’s pre-loved belongings.

Bring your unwanted goods to one of our recycling centres

Items such as furniture, electrical equipment, toys and bric-a-brac will be collected from us by a local re-use organisation and then sold on to members of the public.

Sometimes, these organisations may recondition the products first.

Find your nearest recycling centre.