In his first official role as the new mayor of Merthyr, councillor Malcom Colbran officially opened our reuse charity superstore “A new lease of Life” in Pentrebach.

The new store takes reusable items that have been dumped at Merthyr’s council recycling centre and makes them available for people in need.

Councillor David Hughes, Portfolio Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that this shop has opened its doors in Merthyr Tydfil.  It gives people the opportunity to donate their unwanted items by giving back to the community and supporting those who may need it. That’s a great feeling for everyone involved. 

“Customers of the shop often comment that it’s a ‘crime’ what people will throw away, so we thought we’d have a bit of fun with that today!”

In the first month of opening the charity shop has already saved more than 2,500 items from the skips.

Beth Rosser, Wastesavers Area Manager said: “We’ve had an amazing response from people since opening. Customers constantly tell us they just can’t believe what people throw away. Residents also love the idea that their unwanted items have a chance of finding a new home rather than going in a skip.”

Like many residents, Mayor Colbran was “amazed” when he saw what some people throw away and urged residents to donate rather than dump unwanted items. 

The store is the latest edition to our network of social enterprises that are run on a sustainable basis.

The five shops all rescue items from skips at council run recycling centres in south Wales. Last year they saved more than half a million reusable items from going to landfill.

They have also created 25 new paid jobs areas of high unemployment (35% of paid staff were previously volunteers with the charity), and are financially self sufficient.

Follow A New Lease of Life on Facebook.

A New Lease of Life is based at Unit 20, Merthyr Industrial Park, Pentrebach CF48 4DR and is open Monday to Friday from 09.30 to 16.30 and Saturday from 09.00 to 13.00.