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Washington Village

Reuse (Re-gift) and Recycling Page

This is what Our Environment Group has found out so far – but things keep changing so please let us know of any errors or omissions.

  • To prevent waste where possible RE-USE (or RE-GIFT) rather than recycle.
  • Where that is not possible RECYCLE what you’re sure can be recycled (see below for some extra information).
  • Put items into waste bins where you are unsure of whether you can recycle or where you know there is no other classification other than “waste”.
  • The waste collected by Sunderland council goes to an Energy from Waste (EFW) plant in Stockton.
  • The residual waste from that is an ash which is then sold to the construction industry.
  • DO NOT put batteries or vapes into household waste – they can cause fires at all stages through the collection process.

RECYCLE anywhere: A good website for checking for where to recycle almost any item is: Recyclenow.com. You can type in the item and give your postcode to find where to go.

RE-USE (RE-GIFT) in and around Washington

There are lots of charity shops and organisations that will take what you no longer need and pass or sell it on. Some examples are:

  • The REVIVE shop at Pallion Household Waste and Recycling Centre. They will take almost anything that someone else could use – but check before taking computer items.
    • This is a reuse shop.
    • Open every day to shop or donate.
    • It takes clothes, toys, electricals, homewares, furniture and more.
    • This shop has saved huge numbers of items from going to waste. All proceeds go to St Vincent’s, a charity helping the most most vulnerable people in our society.
  • GET Free Books, 4 St Cuthbert’s Walk Shopping Centre, Chester-le-Street.
    • Takes books, jigsaws, CDs.
    • Lets people take the items for free (to encourage reading) or customers can give a donation.
  • Fiscus and Love Amelia in Hendon Sunderland.
    • FISCUS is a registered charity providing community advice, activities and crisis services including Sunderland Community Clothes Bank. Fiscus Facebook page.
    • Love, Amelia is a baby bank supporting babies, children and those who look after them across Tyne & Wear. They have a wish list on their website and ask for only items on it to be donated as need for these has been identified. Love Amelia
  • Second Chance Sunderland, 46 Villette Road, Sunderland.
    • Specialises in FREE school uniforms.
    • Over 100 schools represented. Plus a huge outdoor wear section, a PE department which also has Out of School Club kits, including football boots, gym and dance kits, a great swimwear selection, as well as fancy dress department. Second Chance Sunderland
  • N.B. Some local schools also take/provide school uniform items, e.g. Blackfell primary.
  • Also, the council has a page providing information about support for school uniforms SC Council School Uniform Support.

RECYCLE in and around Washington

  • Blister Packs from medications: Boots, any Superdrug with a pharmacy, e.g. Chester-le-Street, Sunderland, Metrocentre, Newcastle.
  • Trainers: Washington Leisure Centre.
  • Soft/flexible plastics (anything that can be “scrunched”): Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Co-op, etc.
  • Textiles: Dunelm Mill
  • Batteries: Any retailer that sells them
  • Cosmetics: Boots, Superdrug.
  • Coffee capsules (Nespresso, Tassimo, Dolce Gusto, illy Iperespresso): Podback scheme
  • Bicycles: Recyke y'Bike (RyB) Byker and Chester-le-Street
  • Small electrical (including cables and extension leads): B&Q