From waste to worth - 20 buggies saved from landfill
Staycity had 20 used buggies, YMCA had a need for items to sell in their charity shops - a match was made!
The environmental impact of the hotel industry
According to the Office for National Statistics, there were 9,955 hotels or similar accommodation in the UK in 2020. While this is great if you’re looking to book your next holiday, unfortunately, the hotel industry produces a large amount of waste from food waste in its restaurants, glass and plastic from unused health and beauty products, and furniture waste during refurbishments. This waste greatly impacts the environment, with 87% of waste generated by the hospitality industry going to landfill (Waste and Resources Action Programme, 2011).
At A Good Thing we want to help reduce landfill waste through the donation of items to charities in need.
Meet the match
YMCA’s vision is to transform communities in England and Wales so that all young people can belong, contribute, and thrive. The charity has over 100 stores in England and Wales and the money raised in these stores helps YMCA support 572,000 young people every year.
Staycity has aparthotels (accommodation that combines hotel standards with apartment living) across Europe. In March, the London Heathrow aparthotel listed 20 used buggies on A Good Thing’s matching platform that would have otherwise been thrown away. The aparthotel often has families staying, and buggies are delivered for their guests to use.
From waste to worth
Tina, Retail Stock and Logistics Manager at YMCA, was looking for items for resale in the YMCA charity shops and requested the buggies from Staycity. Justyna, Operations Manager at Staycity Aparthotels London Heathrow, was delighted to select the match and explained how one of the YMCA charity shops is next door to the aparthotel. Justyna has even seen the donated buggies for sale in the shop window! Justyna said that the match was great as she has “made a connection for the future”.
Hotels can reduce waste and help charities in need
This match is a great example of how items that could have ended up in landfill will now find new homes whilst raising money for charity at the same time. We are constantly seeing the impact that hotels can have on local charities with donated items, including mattresses, artwork, toiletry kits, and furniture already being offered via our platform. We even take used pillows and items past their best-before date.
We have a range of charities signed up to our platform and absolutely anything can be donated via A Good Thing!
If your business has items needing to be rehomed register now!