Veolia, which runs six Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HRRCs) on behalf of the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP), ran two toy giveaways in Croydon in July, with 239 toys given away to local families.
▁▁▁
The toys, donated during the year by residents across the SLWP boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton, and Sutton, were cleaned up and safety checked before the giveaways which ran on Tuesday 15th and Thursday 17th July at the Factory Lane and Fishers Farm HRRCs. 239 toys were given away to 70 families, bringing joy to young residents whilst teaching them the importance of reuse. Giving donated items a new lease of life helps reduce the demand for new toys, which means less energy and fewer raw materials are needed to produce them.
As well as giving toys out free to residents, the HRRC team set aside over 70 toys for local nursery, Canterbury Children’s Centre, a registered charity that helps families give their children the best start in life.
Residents visiting Fishers Farm HRRC to dispose of items are able to drop high quality goods off at the Community Reuse shop on site by speaking to Veolia operatives when entering the site. The Reuse Shop is open year-round and sells donated items back to residents at a reduced cost.
The next toy bonanzas will be held in early December.
Andrea Lowe, Regional Manager, Veolia Croydon, said : “Our toy giveaways have been a fantastic way to brighten local children’s summers without spending a penny or costing the planet, and we’re thrilled to have expanded the initiative beyond our traditional Christmas drives.
“Working with Community Reuse and the South London Waste Partnership, the events aim to give back to the communities we serve. We hope to see many residents return for the festive giveaways and make use of the fantastic Community Reuse shop on site at Fishers Farm that further promotes the reuse of good quality items.”
