A dating site with a difference!
A new website that pairs off businesses, helping them cut costs through reducing rubbish has recently launched in Oxfordshire.
Retrader (retrader.org.uk) is a new materials exchange website set up by Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) that enables businesses to pass on materials they no longer need and get pre-used materials from other businesses.
Gavin Hull is the materials reuse officer at Oxfordshire County Council and was tasked with setting up retrader.org.uk. He says: "We're really encouraged with how businesses have taken to Retrader. I've always described Retrader as a dating website where businesses can pair off their rubbish, and in true dating form some great relationships have already developed. It's fantastic that not only are we keeping waste out of landfill, but business connections and new ideas are being made just from conversations on rubbish."
Retrader was launched on 26 February at a showcase reuse event with the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP). Businesses discovered the financial, social and environmental benefits that can be achieved through materials reuse and were able to participate in a workshop to discuss potential waste exchanges.
Tim Quinton is a maintenance and heath & safety manager from the Malmaison and Hotel du Vin group and attended the launch event. He is really enthusiastic about the possibilities Retrader could offer. "What a great idea this is," says Tim. "It looks as if the Retrader launch is proving to be one of the most successful events that I have been to for some time. I’ve had many leads and have managed to tick so many boxes. We should notice a huge reduction in the amount of waste we produce and will be able to help many other small businesses at the same time."
In just under a month membership of the site has grown quickly and previously unwanted items have been given a new lease of life.
OWP chair Cllr John Tanner says "In the current economic climate anything that helps businesses save money is a great thing. Already companies that have used the website have seen the benefits to reducing their waste. I’m confident use of the Retrader website will grow as organisations see the value in being green."
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