Sofa Project – a solution for recycling and reuse of domestic appliances

Joining hands with Bristol-based charity SOFA Project (Shifting Old Furniture Around), Baumatic has found an environmentally sound solution for recycling its appliances. In the past Baumatic sent its unwanted fridges to Germany to be broken down (gases removed). Now the company sends all its Grade D appliances (used, faults, returns) to SOFA Project, which helps over 7,000 low income households a year, while also diverting products that would have otherwise gone to landfill.
Approximately 80% of the Baumatic appliances that SOFA Project receives are not reusable, so the charity recycles them. The 20% that are in good working order or can be repaired are sent to SOFA Project’s domestic appliance workshop, which safety test, clean and refurbish washing machines, fridges, cookers and other white goods that can then be sold in the SOFA’s retail outlet.  In the three months since Baumatic has been sending graded goods to SOFA Project, 26 tonnes of appliances have been collected, of which 21 tonnes were recycled, and three tonnes were reused.