TRUST – Leading the way in ethical reuse and recycling
TRUST – Trader Recycling Universal Standard
A certification for traders in second hand clothing, textiles and household products
WHY CHOOSE TRUST?
TRADER INFORMATION
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The TRUST Standard: A comprehensive audit across five key areas
Professional & Business
Credit checking the business and confirming licences and insurance are compliant with the law.
Health & Safety
Ensuring that sound policies exist and appropriate action is taken to prevent accidents and protect staff.
Working Conditions
Checking that all workers are treated properly and in full accordance with their rights.
Environment
Promoting the best sustainability and environmental standards by ensuring waste is properly managed and due diligence is carried out on export markets.
Transport
Ensuring compliance with industry regulations to prevent accidents and promote a safe transport environment.
Be part of the movement
33
Traders Certified
15
Our Signatories
3710
Charity Shops Represented
716
Vehicles (7 Zero emissions, 577 Euro 6, 120 Euro 5 & 12 Euro 4)
Background to TRUST
In the UK, we spend on average over £75 a month each on clothing with 87% of items purchased new, compared to just 10% second hand . It’s not just fashion that we are addicted to, our homeware market has expanded substantially over the last decade and the average UK consumer now also spends over £30 a month on homeware.
Whilst charity shops and other secondhand retailers play a vital role in helping reuse items of clothing books and homeware each year, we are left with huge volumes of used goods not wanted in the UK.
Traders buy up this excess, separate out the reusable items which are sold to second-hand markets abroad, and recycles the remainder. Unfortunately, this industry has been harmed by disreputable organisations who have cut corners and not operated in the interests of people or planet.
TRUST has been set up to boost and maintain standards within the sector, making it easy for charities, retailers and local authorities to choose a reputable partner to work with for their recycling needs and gives responsible traders the means to set themselves apart and gain new business.
Our signatories
Our signatory commitment: “We fully support the ongoing work of TRUST to raise standards among merchants trading in used goods and commit to only trading with TRUST-certified merchants wherever possible.”
