Bristol Waste’s Reuse shops reach 500,000 items saved from waste
From desks to dinnerware, bikes to bookcases and tools to toys, Bristol Waste’s Reuse Shops at the city’s Household Reuse and Recycling Centres have now found new homes for more than 500,000 items since opening in 2020.
The milestone highlights just how strongly Bristol has embraced second‑hand shopping and how everyday choices are helping cut waste across the city.
A message of thanks
Jak Boydon, speaking on behalf of Bristol Waste, praised those who made the achievement possible:
“It’s fantastic to see so many people in Bristol discovering the Reuse Shops and choosing to buy second-hand as well as donating items. Reaching this milestone means literally hundreds of thousands of things have been kept in use instead of going to waste, which is good for people’s pockets and better for the environment too.
This achievement is a real credit to our Reuse team, our brilliant volunteers and the many Bristol residents who have given their support by shopping with us and donating their preloved items.”
A Bristol success story
Since the first shop opened in 2020, the city’s appetite for reuse has grown rapidly.
By the end of 2024, the shops had already reached 250,000 items and less than a year later, that number had climbed past 350,000.
Over the last year alone, the shops diverted an average of 14,000 items every month, pushing the total now past the half‑million mark.
Second-hand shopping is no longer a niche choice in Bristol — it’s becoming a normal, practical way for residents to save money and keep perfectly usable items out of the bin when there’s still plenty of life left in them, through discovering the shops and picking up high‑quality finds at affordable prices.
More than just shops
The Reuse Shops don’t just help people find bargains. They also support the wider community:
25% of profits go to local charities, with St Peter’s Hospice receiving more than £50,000 so far.
The shops are greatly supported by volunteers, who offer their time, skills and energy. The environment offers a welcoming place for people who want to build confidence, meet others or develop skills linked to employment. In 2025 alone, volunteers gave 3,982 hours of their time.
How it works
Residents can drop off unwanted items at Bristol’s Household Reuse and Recycling Centres. If suitable, items are checked, cleaned and sold in the Reuse Shops instead of being thrown away.
Bristol Waste’s Reuse Shops aren’t the only place you can purchase or borrow reused items. There’s a community of Reuse hubs and repair cafes across Bristol, including:
- Share Bristol’s Library of Things
- Sparks Bristol
- The Sofa Project
- Bristol Wood Recycling Project
- The Children’s Scrapstore
- Repair Cafés in Brislington, Easton, Fishponds, Hanham, Sea Mills, Stockwood, St Pauls and more.
What you can find
The shops offer an ever‑changing mix of good‑quality items, including:
- Furniture: tables, chairs, sofas, desks, gaming chairs
- Homewares: lamps, kettles, dinnerware, kitchenware, glassware
- Technology: phones, laptops, consoles, TVs, speakers, record players
- Sports equipment: bikes, scooters, skateboards, gym gear, rackets, golf clubs
- Garden items: tools, lawnmowers, outdoor furniture, plant pots, compost
- DIY supplies: hand tools, power tools, tiles, wallpaper, fixings
- Bric‑a‑brac: toys, board games, mirrors, posters, DVDs and unexpected treasures
Get involved
Bristol residents can shop or donate from 9.30 to 3.30 at:
- Avonmouth HRRC (BS11 0YS)
- Hartcliffe Way HRRC (BS3 5RN)
- St Philip’s HRRC (BS2 0QS)
Whether you’re looking for a bargain, clearing out clutter or trying to live more sustainably, the Reuse Shops offer a simple way to save money, cut waste and support Bristol. Find out about visiting the Reuse Shops here.
Our Reuse Shops are also a vibrant place to volunteer, find out about volunteering at the Reuse Shops here.
