Reusing furniture and household items
If you're getting new furniture, or have unwanted furniture which you want to get rid of, contact one of the county's furniture reuse schemes. They will collect and make use of your old items.
You'll reduce waste and provide support for local people who may be struggling to furnish their homes.
| Scheme | Telephone number | Opening times |
|---|---|---|
1 Kilburn Drive | 0191 586 8493 | Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm |
County Durham Furniture Help Scheme Unit 20 | 01388 721 509 | Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.00am to 2.00pm. From September 2021, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm. |
Haswell Mencap Furniture Enterprise (Lisa Dixon Centre) | 0191 526 0987 | Monday to Friday 10.00am to 3.00pm. Not currently collecting or accepting any furniture, but they are accepting donations of clothes, toys and small household items and bric-a-brac |
King's Church Furniture Re-Use Scheme King's Centre | 01325 469 884 07591 623 469 | Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 3.30pm (collect from postcode areas DL1 to DL5) |
Like our new Recycle for County Durham on Facebook page to get handy tips and information on reducing waste, reusing, recycling and composting.
What can you donate?
The charities listed collect unwanted household items such as beds, furniture and electrical items - if they are re-usable and in good condition. There may be a small collection charge.
- Upholstered items such as sofas, chairs and beds should be clean, without tears and must have the current UK fire safety standard labels attached.
- All electrical items should be working, be free from rust, reasonably clean and have intact seals.
Items will need to be inspected before collection is agreed and in some instances, the collectors may not be able to accept items. If this is the case they will explain why.
The table below lists the items these charities accept.
| County Durham Furniture Help Scheme | East Durham Partnership | Haswell Mencap Furniture Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture / beds | Yes | Yes | No |
| Carpets | Yes | No | No |
| Computers | Yes | Yes | No |
| Electric cookers | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fridges and freezers | Yes | Yes | No |
| Washing machines | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mobile phones | Yes | No | No |
| TV / audio | Yes | No | No |
| Small electrical items | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bikes | Yes | No | No |
| Garden equipment | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tools | Yes | No | No |
| Textiles | Yes | No | Yes |
| House clearances | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bric-a-brac | Yes | No | Yes |
Volunteer to help at your local furniture re-use scheme
If you want to volunteer to help at your local furniture reuse scheme, please contact them.
Our Stainton Grove Reuse shop
We have a reuse shop at Stainton Grove Household Waste Recycling Centre. Items which are still in good condition with plenty of life left in them can be bought at the shop, which is run by H W Martin Waste Limited. Stock varies daily depending on what is dropped off at the recycling centre.
Permanent Repair Cafés
There are several volunteer run repair cafés in County Durham. Repair Cafés are free meeting places and they are all about fixing things together. Visitors bring their broken items from home, then together with 'fixers' they make their repairs in the Repair Café. It's a fantastic way to help the environment, prevent waste, save money and learn new skills. Current Permanent Repair Cafés in County Durham are:
- Friendly Fixers Repair Café - Fishburn Youth and Community Centre (TS21 4ED) - First Saturday of the month from 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
- Seaham Repair Café - St John's Church Hall, Seaham (SR7 7SA) - Second Saturday of the month from 12.00pm - 4.00pm
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