Opened in September 2025 in partnership with FCC Environment, the Allington Reuse Shop has rapidly become one of Kent’s most popular reuse destinations. In just its first six months of operation:
- over 30,000 items have been donated by residents, diverting more than 100 tonnes of materials from disposal – that’s the equivalent of roughly 6 - 8 double‑decker buses
- an estimated 20,000 residents have visited the shop
- more than 8,000 people have made purchases
- over 19,500 items have been sold – around 86 tonnes of goods finding new homes and successfully reused.
Alongside the success of the Allington shop has been Kent’s first reuse shop, New Romney’s container shop. It’s success has helped lay the foundations for the wider expansion of reuse services.
The shop is stocked with reusable items accepted at several other KCC HWRCs, including Maidstone, Pepperhill, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Sheerness, Canterbury, Dartford, Swanley and Ashford.
If an item can be reused, it can be dropped off at either shop. Everything from A-Z: antiques, books and children’s toys to xylophones, yoga mats and even zebra print rugs ready for a new home.
Across the county, fifteen of Kent’s nineteen Household Waste Recycling Centres now collect items for reuse. Items brought to these sites that are suitable for reuse are placed in designated reuse containers and will be transported to Allington or the New Romney container shop or collected by other charities or auction houses.
A portion of the profits from the shops will go towards local charities, including SATEDA and the Young Lives Foundation - this year’s charities endorsed by the Chairman of KCC. The remaining profits will be reinvested into the service to support the expansion of KCC’s reuse initiatives across the county.
“International Zero Waste Day is the perfect moment to highlight the incredible impact of our reuse shops.”
Jamie Henderson, Cabinet Member, Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, said: “International Zero Waste Day is the perfect moment to highlight the incredible impact of our reuse shops. Seeing tens of thousands of items donated, reused and enjoyed again in such a short space of time is a powerful sign of what Kent can achieve when we work together to reduce waste. It is clear that the momentum behind reuse is only growing.”
Paul Fitzpatrick, Contract & Transport Manager, FCC Environment, said: “International Zero Waste Day is a great opportunity to celebrate what can be achieved through practical partnership working. The success of the Allington Reuse Shop shows just how keen residents are to give items a second life when the right facilities are in place. By working closely with Kent County Council, we’re helping to keep valuable materials in use for longer, reduce waste, and support local communities and charities at the same time.”
Residents can book appointments to use the HWRC for recycling, waste disposal, and to donate items to Allington Household Waste Recycling Centre. No booking is needed just to browse the shop.
The four sites that do not currently accept reuse items are:
- Richborough
- Faversham
- Herne Bay
- Sittingbourne.
