A recycling superstore has been opened in a Ross-shire town, the first of its kind anywhere in Scotland.
Blythswood Care’s store in Dingwall High Street will sell reusable goods ranging from furniture and kitchen appliances, to carpets, toys and clothes.
It is the first superstore of its kind, having received support from Zero Waste Scotland.
The agency is now planning to roll the model out in new shops across the country.
Visitors will also have the chance to make use of a “repair club” with staff demonstrating sewing skills and furniture repairs to help save items which might otherwise be thrown away.
Zero Waste Scotland say that many items, which could be used by someone else, currently go to landfill.
Thousands of re-usable items end up there every year, including 304,000 individual three-seater sofas and 151,000 washing machines.
A 10% increase in reusing items in the Highlands that currently end up in landfill, would generate almost £50,000 for reuse organisations in the Highlands and carbon savings equivalent to taking over 300 cars off the road.
Louise McGregor, head of circular economy, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to launch the first of Zero Waste Scotland’s national programme of large scale re-use hubs in Dingwall today, a terrific example of a third sector organisation trying out a unique and innovative model by teaming up with other organisations from across the country to source a really wide range of high-quality goods from all over Scotland, as well as hosting a repair club.
“I’m sure shoppers in Ross-shire will be queuing up to browse the fantastic furniture, clothing and more on sale.”
James Campbell, chief executive of Blythswood Care, said: “This is an exciting new venture for Blythswood. It demonstrates the best of reuse and repair in Scotland and so offers a great service to Dingwall and far beyond.
“This new revolve-accredited Blythswood re-use superstore will make a great contribution to the Christian organisation’s social care projects at home and abroad.”