Viridor announces £75,000 in funding for Library of Things, Reuse Network, and Sheltersuit UK.
Through its We Share Community Fund, Viridor will provide £75,000 to the three organisations over the next financial year.
Commenting on the funding announcement, Kevin Bradshaw, CEO of Viridor, said: “These organisations reflect Viridor’s mission to create a world where nothing goes to waste and I am delighted that Viridor is supporting this important sector – as we work together to drive meaningful impact on people, the planet, and the way we think about resource use.”
Viridor has allocated £35,000 of the funding to Reuse Network, which it says will use the funding to provide digital support for its members, run a media campaign and roadshows, and advance its research capabilities.
Viridor has an ongoing strategic partnership with Reuse Network, which supports UK charities dedicated to reuse.
Library of Things (LoT) is set to receive £20,000 to support its initiatives as part of a new partnership with Viridor.
LoT allows users to rent household items from local high streets. Later this year, LoT plans to launch a ‘Sharing Library Incubator’ and ‘Seed Fund’ to help communities kick-start their own sharing libraries in towns and cities across the UK.
As part of an additional new partnership, Viridor has also allocated £20,000 of funding to Sheltersuit UK, which was founded in 2021 and repurposes waste nylons and polyesters into survival clothing for unhoused people.
Viridor says its funding will help pay for a machinist’s salary for eight months, as well as cover the cost of materials, and contribute to producing 700-800 Shelter bags.
Rebecca Wetten, Co-Director of the Library of Things, commented: “Community-led initiatives – like sharing libraries – play a crucial role in powering the behaviour change needed for a society that borrows instead of buys.
“In partnership with Viridor, we’ll launch the Sharing Library Fund and Incubator to directly tackle the funding barrier that prevents communities from launching and sustaining lending libraries.”
