Training

T.R.E.E offers training to people who are happy to give their services on a voluntary basis.  They could be directed here by the Job Centre, from schools with students wishing to gain work experience, or just be someone happy to offer their time to help out.  Whilst with T.R.E.E. they receive training on manual handling, health and safety and warehousing.  These skills can assist those individuals that are actively looking for paid employment.

Our members who have learning disabilities receive support, assessment and training. This helps to improve their confidence and interpersonal skills, and to furthermore enhance their opportunities when looking for paid employment in the future.

Reusing electrical white goods

All items are brought into the warehouse where they are checked.  Electrical white goods are then PAT tested.  If they are fully functional and in good condition they are given a 3-month warranty, priced and put out in the shops for sale.  T.R.E.E. works extensively with WMA washing machines.

Furniture needs to be clean, in good condition and have the original fire retardant labelling (as from 1988) still attached.  We are unable to sell any furniture that does not have this but we can still offer a disposal service at reasonable cost to the customer.

Andrew started with us in September 2009. Since joining T.R.E.E. he's achieved independent living and is also travel trained meaning that Andrew has full access to the local community. The benefits that Andrew is now able to enjoy since joining T.R.E.E. include independence, a confident attitude and social inclusion.

Andrew says "I started in 2009, I do one day a week. Part of my job is cleaning washing machines and cookers. Since I've joined T.R.E.E. I've enjoyed coming and it's given me time to meet with my friends. My best job is making the items look nice and shiny and knowing I've done a job."

Most of the waste produced in England and Wales is sent to landfill.  In the past it was easy to dispose of waste this way as it was cheap and space was often available in old quarries.  Space approved for landfill is set to run out in the next 5 to 10 years!  About two-thirds of landfilled waste is biodegradable organic matter from households, businesses and industry.  In 2004/5 nearly 20 million tonnes of municipal waste, most of which is household waste, was sent to landfill.  Other waste sent to landfill includes inert materials; for example, from construction and demolition.  Biodegradable materials such as paper and card, textiles, food and garden waste decompose and release the greenhouse gases methane and carbon dioxide.  The UK's landfills contain a higher proportion of biodegradable waste than most other Europeon countries (Environmental Agency 2007).

T.R.E.E.'s main objective is to promote reuse of items, this in turn benefits the local community and diverts these items from the landfill sites.  People can donate electrical goods that are still in working order and in good condition and donations of clean, good quality furniture are also much needed.