London CRN has launched the London Furniture Reuse Network (London FRN).

The project aims to boost the number of beds, wardrobes, settees, kitchen appliances and other bulky items diverted from landfill in the capital. London FRN will achieve this by linking the activities of 18 furniture recycling organisations across London with the work of London CRN and the national Furniture Reuse Network (FRN). It will promote furniture reuse as the preferred option by co-ordinating and supporting the furniture reuse organisations.

The new initiative will not only raise the profile of community furniture and appliance reuse, increase awareness of what happens to old furniture and appliances, but also improve the facilities for the public to dispose of their unwanted items. Boosting the current collection process will increase recycling rates for London Boroughs and improve the lives of families currently living without household essentials.

This will be linked to an increase in volunteer and trainee opportunities provided by the sector together with an increase in both the amount and quality of the bulky items provided to those in need. London FRN will work with Charities, and other non-for-profit organisations as well as local government departments such as Social Services, Housing Departments, Housing Associations and Health Visitors to improve coordination and communication between the different bodies, and ensure a simplified process of putting unwanted furniture and appliances to reuse.

The strategic objective of the project is to raise the operational standards of the sector in London and to make it more financially sustainable. This will enable the project to increase the amount of households served, the geographical coverage and the tonnage of furniture items that might otherwise go to landfill. It also aims to move the sector towards a position where it is collectively capable of performing a significant role in addressing the requirements of the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Directive.

The London FRN project has been awarded £285,796 by the Community Recycling and Economic Development (CRED) Programme, through the Big Lottery Fund‘‘s Transforming Waste initiative. It has also received match funding through the enhance programme, which is funded by London Development Agency, LDA