A RHYL re-use shop and a kirbside collection scheme have been awarded £185,000 and £99,000, respectively.

Denbighshire County Council received £560,000 from the Welsh Government's Green Recovery Circular Economy fund which aims to avoid waste by keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible.

The funding will support projects in the county that increase the reuse of unwanted items and food produce that would otherwise be thrown away.

The £185,000 will be used to set up a re-use shop at Rhyl Household Recycling Centre and to recycle and sell unwanted items brought to the three household waste recycling centres at Rhyl, Ruthin or Denbigh, The £99,000 will be used set up a textile reuse and repair scheme in Rhyl.

The project aims to increase the kerbside capture of textile re-use by expanding the service to all towns and villages across the county.

Clothing, and other items, will be prepared for re-sale through DCC partner's (co-options) sorting facility and re-use shop situated in Rhyl's town centre. It will also upskill residents to be able to repair and repurpose clothing donations by providing training. A free sewing machine will be offered to those wishing to take part.

Cllr Brian Jones, cabinet member for waste, transport and the environment, said: “The council welcomes this funding which will provide a boost for our town centres as well as supporting the environment by keeping materials in circulation for as long as possible.

“Keeping materials in use for longer reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps to sustain our environment for future generations.

“The council looks forward to working with our third sector partners on these projects which will benefit the whole county.”

The Welsh Government funding, for four projects, aims to help keep materials in circulation for as long as possible to avoid waste.

A total of £234,000 will go towards supporting eight charities to increase their ability to divert waste away from landfill and increase reuse and the carbon benefits of their re-use operations, through a range of greening improvements.

£44,000 will go towards helping Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council set up a ‘Social Supermarket’ in Ruthin’s Market Hall.

Denbighshire County Council has made protecting the environment a priority. This funding will help contribute to the wider work ongoing in the county which includes the council’s declaration of a climate change and ecological emergency which states a commitment to make the authority net carbon zero by 2030.