Dunelm joins forces with local community groups to pass on unwanted homeware items

Dunelm, the UK’s leading homewares retailer, has joined forces with local community groups across the North West to redistribute pre-loved homeware items, reducing household waste while benefiting the local community.

The Home to Home initiative which has just launched in its Trafford store, offers customers a more meaningful way of passing on their unwanted or no longer needed household items rather than seeing them cluttering up the home or being sent to landfill. 

Customers are encouraged to bring into store good condition, pre-loved homewares to be sorted and re-distributed back into the community by Stepping Stone Projects, helping those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.  Stepping Stone Projects will also benefit directly from Dunelm itself, who will be able to pass on display items, samples and specific products that might not be able to be sourced from those brought into store by customers.

The initiative, which was developed in collaboration with environmental charity Hubbub, is the latest evolution of Dunelm’s commitment to reducing the amount of household waste that ends up in landfill or being unused, the most notable example to date being the very successful instore Textile Takeback scheme which has already seen 405 tonnes of unwanted fabric donated by customers since it launched last year, with approximately 65% of donated material reused, 20% repurposed and 15% recycled.

Stepping Stone Projects provides accommodation and support for vulnerable people at risk of homelessness in the North-West. The charity is focused on offering a pathway to independence for those who are not quite ready to live independently without assistance.

The contributions from Dunelm customers will provide those the charity supports with valuable items to make their current living space more comfortable and welcoming; with everything from pots and pans to curtains and throws being greatly received.

The Home to Home initiative is currently being rolled out across the North West, with each of the 18 Dunelm stores in the region supporting different  local charities and community causes.

Michael Shiels, Store Manager at Dunelm Trafford, added: “We’re proud to be supporting Stepping Stone Projects and providing our customers with an easy solution to help put their preloved homewares to good use. We know it’s a challenging time for many right now, so we want to do what we can to support community initiatives that make a real difference.”

Claire Massey, Stepping Stone Projects Social Value Coordinator said: “Stepping Stone Projects (SSP) is excited to participate in the Home to Home initiative as this will provide opportunity for SSP customers to access small household items for free that they may not be able to consider purchasing on their limited budgets. Not only will this initiative enable our customers make their house a home, it’ll have a positive impact on the environment and reduce the amount of items unnecessarily going to landfill.”

For those wanting to get involved, pre-loved homeware items from any retailer including kitchenware and home décor items like clocks, vases, throws, curtains, cushions and small storage items can be taken to the Trafford Dunelm store located at Trafford Retail Park.

For more details on the Home to Home scheme, please visit: www.dunelm.com/info/pass-it-on-with-purpose