Mrs Foster praised VSL’s work, noting the environmental and social benefits of its recycling projects: “I am impressed by the way VSL are reducing unnecessary landfill, and at the same time providing useful goods that the local community can re-use.”
The Minister’s first stop was at VSL’s Bachelors Walk furniture showroom and workshop, where unwanted items of furniture are restored with a view to selling at a low cost to those on low incomes.
Mrs Foster then moved on to VSL’s electrical goods recycling facility at Lisburn Enterprise Park. This EHS-funded project allows VSL to collect unwanted domestic white goods such as cookers, washing machines, dryers and small electrical items and repair and refurbish them for sale at low cost to those on low incomes. The Minister noted that: “To date, VSL’s good work has seen over 38 tonnes of appliances, which would otherwise have gone to landfill, refurbished and sold to those on low incomes.”
Notes to Editors:
- Voluntary Services Lisburn was established in 1981 to help meet the needs of the disadvantaged, disabled and elderly in the local community. In addition to its furniture refurbishment and white goods recycling, VSL operates a substantial volunteer system, and carries out environmental and community projects.
- EHS’s Community Waste Innovation Fund is providing support to VSL until 2009, for its electrical (white) goods recycling project. Anything that cannot be reused and sold on is recycled in accordance with the latest environmental protection legislation.
- For media enquiries, please contact the DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003 or out-of-hours call EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 076 9971 5440.
