WASTE not, want not! With so many charity shops in Alton and elsewhere gathering and selling unwanted items in aid of good causes, the message might seem to have got through to the world at large that throwing items away willy nilly is not such a good idea.

Well, there is one man at least who not only thinks we have can go much further but is actually doing something about it himself.

Recognising that as a nation we live in a throw-away society, Gary Yeomans, the former manager of Alton Recycling Centre, feels strongly that the way we do our throwing away needs to change.

“With restrictions on the size of vans and trailers at the recycling centre,” Gary explains, “I’ve seen good furniture and other large items broken up and sawn into pieces to fit into a car.

“There so much going into landfill that could and should have gone back into the system. It’s more than a shame. We all need to do our bit to contribute to the environment and our future and, in the process, help others along the way.”

Gary’s solution is his own, not-for-profit recycling shop designed to collect items for sale which, in turn, will generate donations to local organisations and activities.

With the motto ‘Don’t dump . . . Donate!’ his determination to target specifically local causes is clear from the first two he suggests as appropriate; namely, the Alton Foodbank and Bushy Leaze Children & Families Centre.

Opened at the end of January, Alton Recycle and Reuse, Gary’s shop in Raven’s Square, close to the entrance to Wootey’s junior and infant schools, on Wootey’s Way, is already something of an Aladdin’s cave packed with items vintage and modern.

There are carpets and candlesticks, books and bric-à-brac, tables, chairs and changing assortment of paintings and engravings.

His first sales included 18th and early-19th Century engravings, one of these being the well-known image of Alton from Windmill Hill, drawn and engraved in 1841.

“I thought that was a nice coincidence,” said Gary. “My shop is at the top of a hill on the other side of the town, but we both have Alton well and truly in our sights!”