Furniture recycling in Shropshire

Before you dispose of your old furniture and other household goods, think whether it may be possible to recycle them.

Shropshire Household Furniture Recycling Scheme (SHOFUR)
SHOFUR is the local network of Shropshire furniture schemes. As a partnership they are working alongside with Shropshire Waste Partnership and Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council to find better ways to deal with household items which are no longer required by Shropshire householders.

What is a furniture recycling scheme?
All schemes are voluntary organisations set up to collect good quality household items from local people across Shropshire. They aim to redistribute these items to people on low incomes as well as helping to reduce the amount of household items going to waste.

The schemes are run by committed full and part-time staff, alongside a keen and enthusiastic band of volunteers. They run the five local offices and stores and co-ordinate collections and deliveries across Shropshire.

When and who do SHOFUR help?

• People suffering as a result of fire or flood damage.
• People who are coming out of long term care.
• Families suffering as a result of a break up or in situations of domestic violence.
• Women being re-housed after a period of time in a refuge.
• People of all ages who are living on a low income and who cannot afford to replace essential household items such as a washing machine, fridge, vacuum cleaner or cooker.
• People who have just come out of prison.
• People who have recently been homeless or sleeping rough.
• People who have previously been unemployed and have moved to the area of work.

SHOFUR schemes currently...

• Collect good quality donated furniture and electrical equipment.
• Cover the whole of Shropshire
• Have over 50 regular volunteers and trainees (but we always need more help!)
• Help to raise awareness and educate Shropshire residents about the value of reusing and recycling items that would otherwise become rubbish
• Deliver essential household items to around 60 families and individuals on low incomes every week.
• Employ a number of full time staff
• Charitable status
• Are members of the Furniture Recycling Network (FRN)

How does SHOFUR operate?

• SHOFUR drivers collect furniture from across Shropshire on various days through out the week (contact your nearest scheme to see what days they operate on).
• All our schemes are aiming to educate local people about the benefits of re-use and recycling.

Volunteers with SHOFUR:

• Drive their vans
• Navigate, to assist the van driver
• Help in the offices
• Talk to people about SHOFUR
• Arrange collections and deliveries
• Do odd jobs in the stores, minor repairs and equipment installation, for example
• Sort bedding and crockery and look for valuable antiques!
• Answer the phone and have time to listen!
• Carry out repairs and renovation and rebuilding of donated items
• Spread the word about SHOFUR
• Serve on the Board of Trustees

If you have a few hours to spare and are interested in helping, please feel free to contact your local scheme to discuss how you can help.

Typical items requested by people using the schemes...

(Please ensure that all items are in good condition and working order)

Small electrical

• Kettles
• Irons
• Toasters

Larger electrical

• Fridges
• cookers
• Washing machines
• Small freezers
• Vacuum cleaners
• Televisions etc

All electrical appliances are checked by a qualified electrician before they are given out.

General household

• Saucepans
• Crockery
• Cutlery
• Rubbish bins
• Washing up bowls
• Baking tins

Kitchen Furniture

• Tables
• Chairs

Bedding

• Sheets
• Duvets
• Blankets
• Pillowcases
• Curtains

Bedroom furniture

• Beds
• Small chest of drawers
• Small wardrobes
• Bedside cabinets

Living Room Furniture

• Settee
• Small bookcases
• Arm chairs
• Coffee tables
• Lights

What SHOFUR cannot accept

• Gas appliances
• all soft furnishings must meet 1988 Fire Safety Regulations (must have correct labels).
• they can only take items containing glass larger than 11” x 8” (27cm x 20cm) if it bears the Kite mark.
• large double wardrobes and side boards
• fridges manufactured before 1996.

SHOFUR try not to collect items they cannot place with clients but inevitably sometimes things cannot be used and these have to be passed on. For example:

• Toys and books have been donated to other charities in Shropshire.
• Old textiles are donated to Animal Rescues and textile recyclers.
• Pictures and miscellaneous items usually go to local charity shops.
• Hi Fi equipment is made available to community groups such as village halls and youth groups.
• Some of the more valuable items may be sold at public auction to raise funds.

SHOFUR Contacts
Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme - 01743 246668
Oswestry Furniture Scheme - 01691 679817 (Opening hours: Mon-Fri - 10am to 1pm).
North Shropshire Furniture Scheme - 01939 234222
South Shropshire Furniture Scheme - 01584 877751 (or follow the website link)
Telford and Wrekin Furniture Scheme - 01952 619197