ONE man’s junk is another man’s treasure, the saying goes. But in one corner of Worcester it seems more apt to say one man’s scrap is another’s Aladdin's cave.

Visitors to the Worcestershire Resource Exchange (WRE) on Shrub Hill Industrial Estate will find it packed to the rafters with exciting and unusual materials that have been rescued from local industry and have huge potential for creative reuse, from pieces of felt, cardboard, plastic, fabrics, paints to shiny film and tubing.

The WRE is a registered charity set up as part of Worcester-based environmental charity the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust to provide inspirational and affordable resources and reduce the amount of material ending up in landfill.

The Rubbish? Sort It! campaign, launched by the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust to urge more people to clean up their local area, is in full swing this month, so now seems the perfect time for those wanting to help their environment and get creative to find out what the WRE has in store for them.

Manager Beth Holland said 95 per cent of the materials came from local businesses, and they were keen to make links with other firms that had non-hazardous wastes which could be used by school, student, community groups or individuals.

They also were given one-off products such as astroturf or art supplies.

She said: “Sometimes businesses just don’t think what they are throwing away can be recycled, but a lot of the time it can be. At this scrap store we ask for membership and people to join up and once they have, they can take their shopping trolley or baskets around here and get creative. It really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.”

Miss Holland said members included allotment holders, DIY-ers and groups such as the Guides and Scouts.

“To make it more interesting and make sure we have lots of variety, we do swaps with other scrap stores around the UK. Most of what we have is business waste. We want to hear from other businesses in Worcester who may be able to help us and we will come and get it for free,” she said.

The unit contains a selection of unopened tins of house paint, perfect if you are looking to re-decorate a room, along with a timber store which regularly contains laminate flooring, plywood, MDF, chipboard, skirting board and sheet timbers. Stock changes regularly, so it’s worth visiting often to see what’s available.

WRE also has a range of reconditioned bicycles that it sells on behalf of another Worcester charity, Motov8.

“We also have a resource library so people can flick through books and get some ideas,” said Miss Holland.

“What I love to see is the variety of people who come to use the WRE. People come to do projects for their schools and it is incredible the items they create. We also have a database of Criminal Records Bureau-checked artists that people can use if they need a bit of inspiration.”

The WRE, which has three full-time staff and 12 volunteers, has a room that can be hired out for artists and teachers. Currently about a third of Worcester schools are members but the group is keen to get all signed up.

Chairman of the trust Cecil Duckworth said the charity was set up 12 years ago as part of a general aim to benefit the environment. The trust was now working hard to keep it running and get lots more members.

“Our aim is to reduce the amount of landfill and re-educating people to be more resourceful. This is a great resource for Worcester to have and I really hope more people can discover it.”

Miss Holland said: “I think once people are here and can see it they understand it. People don’t believe the quality of waste that we get. It isn’t just a pile of rubbish, it is quality items that people can use for a variety of things.”

Membership of WRE is open to individuals, families, artists, clubs and schools. It currently has about 900 members.

You need to be a member in order to buy resources from their main scrap store, but you do not need membership to buy household paint, wood, craft shop supplies and bikes.

The store is open on Thursdays between noon and 7pm, Fridays between 10am and 5pm and Saturdays between 10am and 1pm.

The WRE can be found at Unit 9a on the Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, Worcester. For information, phone 01905 726796, e-mail info@wre.uk.

com or visit wre.uk.com.

For more information on the Rubbish? Sort It! campaign and how you can get involved, call the Duckworth Trust on 01905 734980 or visit dwt.org.uk.