Local Community Benefits from Donation of Brand New Mattresses by Major Retailer
Rhondda Cynon Taf community benefited from over 1,000 brand new mattresses generously donated by IKEA to toogoodtowaste, the leading re-use and recycling charity and Social Enterprise in the area last month.
Mrs Pride from Pontygwaith a customer at toogoodtowaste says: “When I heard that toogoodtowaste had new mattresses donated from a well-known retailer I was delighted. I have three children who were all needing a new mattress, but with limited monies I didn’t know how I was going to do this. Thanks to toogoodtowaste and their donator I was able to take advantage of this offer, which was truly, toogoodtomiss.”
The substantial donation from IKEA UK & Ireland of 1,188 brand new mattresses & mattress toppers of all sizes went to toogoodtowaste, a charity that is dedicated to helping those in need, community regeneration and reducing waste to landfill. This was part of a larger donation of over 8000 mattresses from IKEA, given to Furniture Re-use Network (FRN) members – UK based reuse charities and social enterprises.
Shaun England, toogoodtowaste, CEO says: “We were thrilled to hear that the Furniture Re-use Network had been working so hard on their members behalf to secure this large number of mattresses from IKEA. Working in some of the most deprived areas in Wales, the supply of these mattresses have assisted hundreds & hundreds of families, who may have been sleeping in old and unsuitable bedding, and given them clean affordable mattresses.”
The new mattresses have gone to good homes at an affordable price and flew out of the door in less than a few weeks from toogoodtowaste receiving them. This large donation was made possible thanks to the FRN – of which toogoodtowaste is a member of – and the close working relationship with IKEA UK & Ireland and the FRN has enabled local communities in the UK to access affordable items of a great quality.
Lesley Wilcox, FRN, Operations Manager says: “We’re delighted that our members and their customers have benefited so much from this fantastic donation from IKEA. The team at our Head Office in Bristol worked very hard to ensure all these mattresses went to good homes and it’s great to see the evidence of this.”
This donation has equated to over 24 tonnes of waste being diverted from incineration for energy recovery.
Joanna Yarrow, Head of Sustainability, IKEA UK and Ireland says: “At IKEA, our aim is to help as many people as possible to live a better everyday life at home, so it’s great to see these mattresses going to good homes in the local Rhondda Cynon Taf community.”
Mrs Pride with her 3 children, Geordie, 16, Jenson, 15 & Peyton 7. Photo Credit: Furniture Re-use Network & toogoodtowaste
