Council could open repair cafés at recycling centres

Hertfordshire County Council are considering introducing ‘repair cafés’ at the authority's recycling centres.

The council already runs five Reuse Shops at recycling centres across Hertfordshire – in Harpenden, Waterdale, Ware, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage – prolonging the life of items that would otherwise be thrown away.

Ways to improve the Reuse offer and support the community are continually being explored including the introduction of the sale of electrical items and a free paint scheme. 

Space for repair organisations to hold pop-up repair cafes and/or promote their activities is also being investigated.

The move has been welcomed by the county council's Executive Member for the Environment Cllr Eric Buckmaster

Cllr Buckmaster said: "[Repair cafés] are a good idea because it stops things being thrown away, going to incineration or landfill.

"Based on evidence locally and in other places I think they would be well used.

"It still needs to be worked out how it can be set up. The focus is to have repair and reuse at a single location."

The Reuse Shops are self-funded the income is used to pay for the shops' upkeep, staff wages and training, the collection van, equipment, and sundries. 

Items are reasonably priced and affordable to most people. This ensures that stock is continuously sold, making room for new items. Any net income is used to offset the costs of the Council’s Recycling Centre Service.