Somerset Council and its collections contractor, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, have passed on more than 100 bikes since their diversion initiative began six months ago.
Bikes collected as part of resident’s bulky waste collection service are all donated to local charity, On Your Bike, which refurbishes the bikes or uses them for parts.
Donating bikes helps to extend their usable life, making them more environmentally friendly while also helping many people in the local community to learn a new skill.
On Your Bike helps people to learn new skills, including those who may have suffered social exclusion, have a disability, mental health problems, or ex-offenders – as well as many others who have faced disadvantages.
Through On Your Bike’s, Earn a Bike scheme, Houman benefitted from learning how to refurbish a bike donated via the bulky collection service. During the four-day course he disassembled a bike before completely cleaning and rebuilding the bicycle to be fully usable once more.
When asked about the course, Houman, a refugee from Iran said:
“The course has been excellent and helped me with many things, I have a bicycle that I can use to explore the area and help me find a job.
“The course let me improve my English with many conversations, I have met many people and now also volunteer at the shop, so I have lots to occupy me whilst I await my decision from Home Office.”
Duncan, Workshop Supervisor at Bridgwater On Your Bike said:
“I have really loved having Houman with us, he is so positive about everything and really makes me think about just how many things we can rebuild and fix rather than simply replace with a new part.
“We even managed to cobble together his own tool kit and bike stand for him to assist his fellow residents.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council Lead Member for Transport and Waste said:
“It’s always great to hear stories of how our local partnerships benefit our residents. Loving our things for longer is an easy step for a more sustainable future and something as simple as passing on your pre-loved bike is a great way to do this.
“We’re pleased that the team at On Your Bike has been able to support more people with their skills courses.”
Matthew Canning, Somerset Contract Director for SUEZ said:
“We’re pleased we can support this brilliant charity by donating bikes that are collected on our bulky collection service.
“Waste management is not just about disposal, but also about reuse and contributing to the circular economy. We have been surprised at how many bikes we collect, before this partnership the bikes were recycled, but now the bikes or their parts will be reused – a much better alternative for the environment.
“The project contributes to our vision to live in a world where there is no more waste as well as supporting groups that help the local community.”
Somerset Council offer a paid-for bulky item collection service that is operated by their collections contractor, SUEZ.
The charge for collecting up to three bulky items is £73.40 and an extra £18.40 for each additional item. There is a maximum limit of five items per collection. Collections can be booked online.
