The scheme, the first of its kind in Wales, is being delivered as part of the Welsh Government’s Constructing Excellence in Wales waste strategy, in partnership with Cylch and Recipro through a not-for-project venture Reciprocity Cardiff.

Builders’ merchants will be encouraged to use the scheme as a matter of course for their surplus products rather than sending them to landfill.

Travis Perkins has already donated over 1,000 new kitchen units, doors, drawers and associated items to the project, which charities or community groups can take delivery of for a small admin fee.

As the reuse scheme grows, it will also look to redistribute a wide range of building materials such as bricks, blocks and timber.

Welsh Environment Minister John Griffiths who is backing the scheme said: “The Welsh Government will continue to support the development of new infrastructure, such as this Reciprocity centre and other community recycling centres, and will encourage partnerships between the private and third sectors.

“This really is a great project and I congratulate the partners on their success in opening Wales’ first Reciprocity centre.”

Community viewpoint

One of the first recipients of the Reciprocity Cardiff project is Llanedeyrn Primary School. Head teacher Kevin Hart purchased a brand new kitchen for the infant school.
“Sustainability lies at the heart of many of the activities that our children take part in,” he said. “From recycling to energy saving and procurement, our children are becoming quite sophisticated in the ways in which they aim to preserve the earth’s resources and to ensure that materials are reused wherever possible.
“We are also grateful to the construction company Willmott Dixon who have offered to supply free of charge a team to fit the kitchen for us.
“We hope that today marks the beginning of a partnership that will develop to ensure that all of our children gain a deeper understanding of the part they can play in ensuring that materials are preserved.”

Maxine Perella

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