Renew initiative celebrates four years of community impact

Renew, a reuse and repair initiative between Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) and SUEZ, has marked four years of delivering social and community impact across the city-region.

The programme diverts reusable or repairable items that have been thrown away across Greater Manchester to be sold or upcycled, with money generated reinvested into local Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) groups through the Renew Community Fund. Since launching in 2021, the fund has awarded a total of £1.1 million to 110 local projects.

The social value approach to waste management is helping to support local neighbourhoods and provide much needed funding for VSCFE organisations helping to tackle social and economic inequalities to enable everyone to live well.

On 3rd September, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visited the Renew Hub in Trafford Park to meet community groups who have benefited from the Community Fund, and the skilled repairer and upcyclers, including apprentices.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:

“It was inspiring to watch the repair experts at the Renew Hub breathe new life into furniture and bikes knowing that these items would have been thrown away in the past. Now they’re being sold to raise money for our VCFSE sector which plays such a foundational role in people’s day-to-day lives.

“And it’s also supporting jobs and apprenticeships in the repair sector as well as providing affordable household items at their shops.”

John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer of SUEZ UK said:

“When we fix something, borrow something instead of buying it, or buy second-hand instead of new, we’re keeping these items in use and saving precious resources. Renew has been at the forefront of this movement for four years, and we’re incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished. Their efforts have not only kept countless items from going to waste but have also created tangible benefits across Greater Manchester.”

Greater Manchester residents can help support Renew by donating items at their local recycling centres.