More than 27,000 items weighing more than 131 tonnes have been given a second life through the Teesside Reuse Shop in its first year, as SUEZ marks Recycle Week and encourages residents to think again before throwing unwanted items away.
The shop, located at the Tees Valley Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) in Haverton Hill, officially opened in August 2025 as part of the long-standing partnership between SUEZ, Middlesbrough Council and Stockton-on-Tees Council.
Since opening, as of 14 September 2026, 27,182 items with a combined weight of 131,648kg – equivalent to around 10 double decker buses – were sold through the shop, keeping furniture, household goods and other reusable items in circulation for longer.
Homeware and kitchen items, books, DVDs, toys and garden furniture are among the items proving most popular with shoppers, with the shop offering residents the chance to find affordable second-hand goods while helping to reduce waste.
The anniversary comes as SUEZ marks Recycle Week, running from 14 – 20 September, providing an opportunity to encourage residents to consider whether unwanted items can be reused or recycled before being thrown away.
Craig Horsley, Operations Manager, at SUEZ, said:
“To see over 27,000 items and more than 131 tonnes given a second life in just over a year is a fantastic achievement. The success of the shop shows how strongly local residents have embraced reuse and the value that can still be found in things that might otherwise be thrown away.
“As we mark Recycle Week, it’s a great opportunity to encourage even more people to think about whether something can be reused or recycle before putting it in the bin.”
Items sold through the shop are donated by residents visiting the HWRC. Staff carefully set aside items that are still in good condition, which are then checked and made available for purchase at affordable prices.
Councillor Peter Gavigan, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive member for Environment & Sustainability, said:
“The Reuse Shop was always a brilliant idea, but to see more than 27,000 items find new homes really has surpassed all expectations.
“Far too many household items and appliances are simply thrown away, so giving them a new lease of life can only be good for the environment, while helping to reduce waste and enabling people to save money.”
Cllr Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture, said:
“It’s wonderful to see so many residents across Stockton-on-Tees making use of the Reuse Shop in its first year and giving a new life to still useful items which would otherwise be incinerated or go to land fill.
“You never know what hidden gems you’ll uncover at the Reuse Shop, with everything from kids’ bikes and skateboards to garden pots waiting for a new home – someone’s rubbish is someone else’s treasure!
“This initiative supports our ambition to boost recycling rates across the Borough, while delivering wider environmental benefits. It also provides residents with an affordable way to shop sustainably, save money and pick up some great bargains along the way.”
The Teesside Reuse Shop is open seven days a week from 8.30am – 3pm at the Tees Valley HWRC, Haverton Hill, TS23 1PZ.
This article is based on a press release from SUEZ.
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