An award-winning Bradford park was transformed into a living room to get more people to recycle and re-use furniture.

A three-piece suite, coffee table, dining table and chairs were set up in Lister Park along with a computer and pots of paint to highlight low-cost options for anyone wanting to help the environment and spruce up their home.

The room was recreated by Bradford Council which is supporting community recycling projects by paying £45.60 for every tonne of furniture they recycle in a new re-use credit system.

The Council has to pay for every tonne of waste that goes to landfill so the projects save the Council money. The re-use credit system is a way of passing on those savings.

The new system was introduced after a meeting of the Bradford Furniture Re-Use Network, organised by Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT).

Janice Frost, community environment manager at BEAT said: "We are really pleased that the Council has introduced these payments for these important community projects.

"Not only do they give environmental benefits as they reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, but they also provide important social and community benefits.

"Providing low-cost furniture, paint and computers to those on low incomes really helps those in need.

"The projects also provide many volunteering opportunities, allowing individuals to put something back into their communities."

There are currently five furniture re-using projects operating in the Bradford District.

They provide a free collection service for good-quality household furniture and goods, which are then sold at a low cost to those living in deprived communities or on low incomes.

A computer recycling initiative and a paint recycling scheme will also benefit from the re-use credit system.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for the environment, said: "The work these community groups do is absolutely vital for the Council and this is an excellent way of supporting them.

"These projects help the Council meet the stringent recycling rates laid down by the Government and reduce the disposal and landfill taxes it has to pay.

"The re-use credit that the Council pays to these organisations helps them continue their good work."

Projects

People can buy or donate items by contacting the following community projects:

  • furniture and white goods Keighley Furniture Project on (01535) 601999; Newlands Furniture Service on (01274) 774977; Good Neighbour Project, in Holme Wood on (01274) 680997; CHAS, in Bradford on (01274) 731909; Windhill Community Furniture Store on (01274) 593196
  • IT equipment Savacomp on (01535) 692050
  • paint Bradford Community Repaint on (01274) 737267