REWORK London gives second life to household appliances

Fancy saving cash on buying quality household appliances like washing machines, fridges, or ovens?

You can bag a bargain and contribute to reducing waste at the REWORK London workshop, based at Smugglers Way Reuse and Recycling Centre.

The busy REWORK team refurbishes hundreds of domestic appliances every month – with the items supporting charities, communities in need and available for sale directly to local residents.

Donated items are repaired, cleaned and tested by a skilled team of apprentices and technicians, like senior engineer Kamil, who has worked at the charitable enterprise’s site at Western Riverside Waste Authority for the past seven years.

“It feels good that I’m able to help prevent so many items from going to waste,” says Kamil, who joined REWORK as part of its employment and training programme after previous challenges finding work.

“The items help people who are struggling with finances and people who want a quality item but to get it cheaper than retailers are selling it for.

“To find this opportunity and make a difference, I’m proud of it.”

Behind the scenes at REWORK London

How can I get hold of a refurbished home appliance?

Check out REWORK’s online shop, packed with refurbished appliances including fridge freezers, washing machines, cookers and dishwashers.

Part of charity Groundwork London, REWORK also runs a dedicated eBay store that offers a wide range of items from toys and games to sporting equipment, furniture and even shoes.

The REWORK project has refurbished more than 58,000 electronic appliances, diverted 46,000 pieces of furniture and bikes from landfill, and avoided an estimated 43,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

If you’ve got an item you don’t need, and don’t want to repair and keep, why not donate it to the REWORK workshop at Smugglers Way?

The workshop will accept the following items in good cosmetic condition:

• Home furniture (e.g. bed frames, sofas (with fire certificate), tables, chairs, cupboards and drawers).
• Large domestic appliances/white goods (e.g. fridges, washing machines, tumble driers and cookers) and microwaves. Even if they are no longer working, it may be possible for them to be repaired on-site and passed on for reuse.
• Small electrical Items (hairdryers, toasters, kettles). These must be in working order for them to be reused. If they are not working, please place them in the Small Electricals container for recycling.
• Bicycles
• Sports equipment
• Bric-a-Brac
• Toys
• Tools

You can also hire household items from social enterprise Library of Things, based in the Southside Centre, with sewing machines, drills, steam cleaners and sanders among kit to help you repair at home.

See more ways Wandsworth Council can help you to donate, sell, share and repair.

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