Returned to glory Charity shops championing sustainability

Today protecting our environment is a priority for everyone and charity shops have been at the forefront of championing sustainability for years. Returned to Glory

The Charity Retail Association, the voice of charity retail reported that each year the charity sector is able to sell or recycle over 90% of donated clothing, over 90% of donated books and 85% of donated electrical goods. This diverts waste away from landfill – 373,000 tonnes each year alone whilst improving recycling and re-use rates. It also reduces C02 emissions by over 7 million tonnes in the process.

The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted celebrates its 40th birthday this year and its overarching aim it to help people live their precious lives well. All hospice care is provided free and, to fund the very special work they do in the local community, the Hospice needs to raise over £5 million pounds each year. Their shops play a vital role in raising this money making over £100,000 a year alone by recycling clothes which cannot be sold.

The Hospice’s furniture showroom Returned to Glory goes one step further. By repairing, renovating and upcycling unloved pieces that would otherwise be disposed of, the team of talented volunteers at Returned to Glory transform undesirable items of furniture. Their extensive workshop programme means that anyone can try their hand at their own

upcycling including chalk painting, upholstery, and lampshade making to name but a few. Returned to Glory has also joined the mission to reduce the use of single use plastic by stocking products from The Refill Project. You can fill your pre-owned (and washed) empty containers with ethically sourced household cleaning and bathroom products. number twenty The Hospice’s multi-awardwinning gift and home interiors shop in Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted is doing its bit too. It has a growing range of eco-friendly products from beeswax wraps and insect hotels to recycled coffee cups, glasses and bags. Buyers are focusing on sourcing more of these products when they visit trade shows as well as supporting local artists and craftsmen and number twenty’s recent success in winning Dacorum Business Heroes Award reflects this. Shopping in charity shops mean you can shop guilt-free and support the environment too. By shopping at one of The Hospice’s eight shops, not only is there is the opportunity to grab a wonderful bargain, you also have the satisfaction of knowing you are contributing to a sustainable society with all the money raised going to support the very special work the Hospice does in the local community.

Returned to Glory, Northbridge Road, Berkhamsted. HP4 1EH.

returnedtoglory@stfrancis.org.uk

number twenty, 20 Lower Kings Road, Berkhamsted. HP4 2AB

The Hospice of St Francis charity shops can be found across Hertfordshire.