Survey: Scots most wasteful people in UK

Research by Bishop’s Move suggests majority of Scottish homeowners dispose of unwanted goods ahead of moving rather than giving to a good cause.

A survey of 1,000 UK homeowners has revealed that residents in Scotland are the most wasteful with their clutter, more than any other region in the UK. The research, carried out by Bishop’s Move, the UK’s largest family owned removals firm, revealed that 65 per cent of Scotland homeowners dispose of their items and simply throw them away when preparing to move home. This is compared to 68 per cent of respondents in the North East of England who donate their unwanted items to charity.

However, Scottish residents are not alone when it comes to simply throwing away clutter; 50 per cent of Yorkshire homeowners and 39 per cent of those in the North West confessed to throwing unwanted items away rather than donating them to a good cause.

Throughout 2012, Bishop’s Move’s Edinburgh branch has seen first-hand the impact donating unwanted items can have on a charity. The removals company has been supporting Scottish charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) with a unique ‘De-clutter Service’. Bishop’s Move removal men throughout Scotland provide home movers with CHSS Charity Donation Sacks prior to their move, should they wish to donate any unwanted items to the charity. On the day of the move the Bishop’s Move vans collect and store the items, which can range from clothes to electrical equipment, that are then collected by CHSS representatives.

By October 2012, Bishop’s Move Edinburgh had so far received 5000 bags for use on this project that will enable house movers across the Scotland to create space, de-clutter, and donate items to a good cause.

Chris Marshall, Bishop’s Move Marketing Director, comments: “Most house movers take the opportunity to have a clear-out of unwanted goods ahead of moving home and more often than not, we see them donated to charity through our partnership with CHSS. However, it’s clear that there’re still people in Scotland who are wasteful with their unwanted items. At a time of economic hardship charities are crying out for donations of quality goods that so many of us simply throw away ahead of moving home. There’s little doubt that the process of packing up and moving home can be a busy time and throwing things away can often seem like the easiest option. However, it really doesn’t take any time at all to drop items off at a local charity shop and help them to help others.

“As well as being extremely beneficial to CHSS, the scheme also helps out the home mover, making it as simple as possible for them to donate unwanted items rather than see them go to waste.”

Speaking on behalf of Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, Lana Bambridge, the charity’s Trading and Retail Coordinator, said: “We’re very grateful to Bishop’s Move for this enterprising initiative which is helping CHSS raise vital funds for our services throughout Scotland. Proceeds from all the donated goods sold in our stores help us to continue supporting people affected by chest, heart and stroke illness.

“As well as generating donations for our shops, the Bishop’s Move team recently volunteered at a Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland fundraising event, the RoadBlock Run, which raised over £20,000 for the charity. They even loaned a removal lorry as an obstacle for the event. Bishop’s Move is certainly helping to make a real difference.”