Press Release

October 2007 - Choose2Reuse or Not Bother?

The Choose2Reuse¹ campaign commenced the week beginning 15th October. This is the penultimate phase of the Defra funded 'East regional award-winning' campaign. Charity and Furniture Reuse Shops from approximately 40 charitable organisations across the seven counties in the Anglia Region are taking part in helping promote the 'reuse' message by displaying the campaign posters and handing out free advice leaflets.

In addition the campaign has developed a Choose2Reuse@Work activity to complement the main thrust of the campaign. The strapline "Choose2Reuse today and everyday" has been created in response to research² that highlighted how difficult it was for those that are working to take donated goods to charitable organisations. The concept is that an organisation hosts a "Choose2Reuse@Work" event by inviting their staff to bring donations to work; these are placed inside the donation receptacle³ for the nominated charity partner to collect at the end of the day. The goods are then sold, raising funds for the partner charity while reducing carbon transport miles; the scheme also makes it easier to donate and encourages employees to Choose2Reuse@Work on a regular basis.

"Choose2Reuse or Choose 2 Not Bother" is a poster and advertisement that has been designed to challenge people's negative attitudes to reuse. The top of the poster is titled Choose2Reuse, under which there is a photograph of a beautiful landscape with incongruously placed furniture and clothing. Then in contrast the Choose 2 Not Bother image shows a refuse truck unloading goods into landfill.

There are over 300 participating outlets from charity shops to reuse projects, with some specialising in specific goods such as books, furniture or IT equipment. So whether you want to "Buy, Donate, or Volunteer", there are many charitable organisations out there that are keen to work with members of the public, business and Local Authorities to Choose 2 Reuse.

The Choose2Reuse campaign has many supporters including Climate Change, Waste and Biodiversity Minister Joan Ruddock who said: "While recycling is important, reusing old goods is even better for the environment. Too often we discard things that are still usable and in the worst cases, these discarded items go to landfill. Things that we may no longer want can be useful to others, and I'm pleased that Defra is able to support the work of Choose2Reuse in encouraging and enabling people to share and reuse within their local communities."

Choose2Reuse Campaign Manager Nikki DiGiovanni said, for this final year of the regional campaign: "We have two distinct objectives; 1) reinforce the connection between Reuse and the environment and 2) make it easier for working households to donate their reusable goods. The project team have sought to create challenging materials and test new concepts that will enable Local Authorities and Businesses to engage with the Choose2Reuse campaign to support community reuse in preparation for a national roll out in 2008."

	If you require any further information, please contact
	Contact	Telephone	Email
	Nikki DiGiovanni	01354 742300	nikki@ccorrn.org.uk

Fact file

1. Choose2Reuse was created by CCORRN in 2004 and it has already been acknowledged for environmental best practice by winning a Green Apple Award.

2. In 2006 the Choose2Reuse project team undertook a nationally representative baseline assessment into the public's attitude and motivations to reuse. The full report is titled: "An analysis into public perception and current reuse behaviour conducted in the East of England ,focusing on public attitudes and perceptions of reuse through charity shops and furniture reuse projects". It is available from the Association of Charity Shops on 020 7255 4477.

3. Our donation receptacle is reuseable, made from corrugated cardboard which is manufactured from 75% post consumer waste; it is also fully recyclable and almost entirely compostable. Our leaflets are also made from recycled paper.

4. The Choose2Reuse campaign now in its final year of a three year Defra Environment Action Fund grant of £111,000. The campaign is being delivered by the Association of Charity Shops in partnership with the Cambridgeshire and Essex Community Reuse and Recycling Network's (CCORRN & ECORRN)

5. The seven counties covered by the campaign are Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, Norfolk and Northamptonshire.

6. The launch of the campaign through the charity shops commenced the week beginning 15th of October 2007.

7. Photo opportunities - Events are taking place across the region, please do let us know if you would like to attend an event or would like us to send you photos.