Poots commends furniture restoration project

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today commended a furniture re-use project that is directly helping the environment and the community.

Voluntary Service Lisburn (VSL) collects and restores unwanted furniture, which they then sell at their showroom at Haslem’s Lane, Lisburn. It

is estimated that potentially, an additional 30% of household bulky waste that is currently deposited through council collections and Household Waste Recycling Centres annually, could be reused.

Mr Poots said: "VSL is an excellent example of how we need to rethink waste as a valuable resource - not something to be buried in the ground.

"We have increasingly stringent targets to meet in order to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill. Every one of us has a vested interest in this because if we fail to meet these targets we will face heavy fines that will be passed on to the ratepayer.

"Re-use projects like this are directly helping to meet those targets."

During the tour of the VSL workshop, the Minister met with employees, all of whom were previously long term unemployed, and saw at first hand how the furniture is being restored.

Mr Poots continued: "VSL helps people throughout Northern Ireland as well as the local community by supplying affordable, good quality furniture that can be re-used. It also provides valuable work experience and training and employment opportunities.

"I would urge everyone in the area with unwanted furniture to support this worthwhile and smart initiative which is providing tangible environmental, financial and social benefits to local people."

Notes to editors:

1. Voluntary Service Lisburn was established in 1981 to help meet the needs of the disadvantaged, disabled and elderly in the local community. In addition to furniture refurbishment it also carries out environmental and community projects.
2. VSL has a workshop at 52a Bachelor's Walk Lisburn where items of furniture donated are restored. (They do not accept large items, such as sofas, which would need to be completely reupholstered.) They also have a showroom at Haslem’s Lane Lisburn where the restored items are displayed for sale.
3. VSL provides valuable training and employment opportunities aimed at the long term unemployed.
4. The Department of the Environment's Rethink Waste campaign aims to raise awareness, encourage best practice and achieve behavioural change among households, the business, community and education sectors. The campaign seeks to affect a cultural shift towards better waste prevention and resource management and improved environmental quality in Northern Ireland. For more information visit rethinkwasteni.org
5. All media enquires should be directed to the Department of the Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.