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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

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Circular economy reaches re-use milestone

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​More stores available where people can source used consumables

Scotland’s re-use revolution is driving forward, with 100 quality-certified re-use stores and three flagship superstore ‘hubs’ now in operation.

Cabinet secretary for the environment Roseanna Cunningham announced the landmark progress today today (8 August) during a visit to Scotland’s first re-use hub, Blythswood Care in Dingwall.

Scotland now has three large-scale re-use superstores: Blythswood Care in Dingwall, the Edinburgh Remakery, and its first online hub, ReStyle Argyll in Argyll and Bute – which received its formal launch today.

Cunningham said: “Re-use is one of the smartest ways in which we can keep products and materials out of landfill and in high-value use for longer.

“In Scotland we are working towards ambitious targets on waste, with no more than 5% of all waste to go to landfill and 70% of waste recycled or prepared for reuse by 2025.

“Re-use and repair superstores like Blythswood Care’s here in the Highlands, and ReStyle Argyll in Argyll, are at the forefront of those ambitions by making it easier for people to donate and shop for second-hand items.”

A total of 100 individual stores across Scotland are now certified with the national Revolve standard.

The quality kitemark lets shoppers know they are buying high-quality goods from a reputable retailer and can expect an excellent customer experience.

It’s clear both consumers and businesses are waking up to the scale of opportunity - Iain Gulland

Meanwhile, Scotland’s Re-use Line has just recorded its highest ever number of donations in a single month.

The phone and online service, through which people in Scotland can have unwanted furniture and white goods collected for re-use for free, achieved a record high of 928 items – or 30 tonnes of household goods – referred in July.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “It’s clear both consumers and businesses are waking up to the scale of opportunity in re-use and repair, as shown by Scotland’s first re-use hub in Dingwall, which is going from strength-to-strength, and the exciting latest hub, ReStyle Argyll, which I’m sure will attract lots of customers with its innovative online ordering system.

Ian Matheson, head of operations for Blythswood Care, added: “Through its re-use businesses selling books, bric-a-brac, clothing, furniture, rugs and electrical items, Blythswood Care and other third sector organisations in the Highlands contribute to carbon savings of over 10,000 tonnes a year.”