Award-winning climate activist and environmental scientist Laura Young – better known as ‘Less Waste Laura’ – has joined tenants, staff and board members from social landlord, Wheatley Foundation to mark a milestone.
Wheatley Homes South has around 10,370 homes across Dumfries and Galloway and among its services is Home Comforts.
This furniture service is an upcycling programme which also reduces environmental waste and is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
This service collects donated pre-loved furniture and white goods, upcycles and restores them to like-new condition before passing them on to tenants who need help furnishing their homes.
Laura said: “Pre-loved second-hand furniture is one of the best ways to reduce waste. In Scotland, 80 per cent of our carbon footprint comes from the ‘stuff’ we buy. By extending the life of these items, Home Comforts is helping to tackle consumption and waste on a national scale and it’s been fantastic to see these items being distributed for free to those in need.”
As well as the South of Scotland tenants in Wheatley homes, over the decade it has been operational, it has also helped those in Glasgow and the East of Scotland as well as tenants of Loretto Housing Association.
It is estimated that more than 26,000 items of furniture have been provided to over 7,300 homes – diverting over 143 tonnes of furniture and white goods from landfills last year alone.
Home Comforts has also expanded its reach through partnerships with charities, including SHAX in Dumfries, The Community Re-use Shop in Stranraer and Foursquare in Edinburgh.
Paddy Gray, chairman of Wheatley Foundation, said: “Our Home Comforts service has been a lifeline for many of our tenants over the past 10 years.”