When junk proves to be a treasure

12:15pm Tuesday 16th October 2007

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A GROWING number of people in Leominster are learning that one man's junk really is another man's treasure.

Since it was set up in June 2006, the Leominster and Ludlow Freecycle Group has attracted more than 850 members, who have been swapping everything from bicycles to children's clothes and garden furniture.

Freecycle is a concept which started in the United States four years ago and has spread to more than 75 countries.

The project aims to keep items out of landfill sites, and works by people leaving messages on an internet site when they have something they want to get rid of. Anybody interested in the item can then email the owner and arrange to collect it.

Naomi Andersson, a Leominster based businesswoman, thought the scheme could work in Leominster, but had to team up with Ludlow because the town was classed as being too small.

"We are now getting more than 200 messages a month, and our members have swapped all sorts of things, even three cars complete with MOTs," she said.

Mrs Andersson is now looking to take on a new challenge. "All of the trade waste in our town goes to landfill, and I have been trying to set up a project through Grow Leominster to recycle it instead, starting with cardboard," she said.

"We have already had feedback from M&M and Roundabout Stationery, and we are looking to find out from other local businesses how much cardboard and paper they get rid of and how much they need."

Mrs Andersson hopes to then set up a scheme similar to Freecycle and to encourage businesses to have their waste composted.

Anyone interested can contact her on 01568 612426.