Thousands of items from an inflatable kayak that’s never been used to a Ford Mondeo are finding new homes thanks to Swansea Council’s Swap Shop.
More than 5,000 unwanted items too good to simply throw away have been passed on since the www.swansea.gov.uk/swapshop website opened for business in 2006.
The Swap Shop website, set up by Swansea Council, aims to provide a service where the public can advertise unwanted items or acquire items that are too good to simply throw away using the web.
Recycling Officers in Swansea have labelled the site a great success saying that Swansea Swap Shop is not only benefiting the public but also the environment.
It’s giving people the opportunity to pass on their unwanted items to others instead of them ending up in landfill.
Everything from cars to caravans and from sheds and greenhouses to bouncy castles have been given new homes.
Trish Flint, Swansea Council’s Recycling Officer, said: “We’re delighted with the success of the website.
“As well as giving people the opportunity to pass on their unwanted items to others instead of them ending up in landfill it also gives users the opportunity of obtaining items they want without handing over any cash.
“People are saving money and still getting things they want in these difficult economic times.”
The site also has links to other organisations the Council works closely with to enable unwanted items to be reused.
Those that take furniture and white goods as well as smaller household items include Res-a-Rec Swansea which can also be contacted on 01792 653553, MoRe Green Recycling Swansea which can be contacted on 07967 421662. There’s also Enfys Foundation Swansea on 0845 0094646 and the BEN ReCycle project for old bikes which can be contacted on 01792 468271.
