SHRUB Coop

Can you help us create a world without waste?

Since 2013 we have…

• Saved over 2,150 tonnes of carbon  from being added to the atmosphere.  

• Supported hundreds of volunteers to gain new skills and confidence

• Educated thousands of people in Edinburgh to repair and reuse things instead of needlessly throwing them away

• Created a special community and friendships that will last a lifetime

Together, we are creating a world without waste. As a charity, we rely on grants and fundraising to keep going.

Over the years, our community has worked tirelessly to reduce waste on all fronts

• We’ve put thousands and thousands of good things back to use through our Swapshop and Fresher’s Freeshops.
• Food Sharing Edinburgh has saved mountains of food from an unnecessary fate in the bin and opened Scotland’s first rescued food shop!
• Our events and workshops team have upskilled the community to repair their belongings and educated people about sustainable fashion.
• The Wee Spoke Hub has helped hundreds of people fix their bikes to give them back their independence and reduce transport emissions.

Don’t just let us tell you how much impact we’ve made, here’s what our volunteers have to say.

Lucy’s story…

“I studied environmental sciences at Edinburgh and I started volunteering with SHRUB to get involved with the community and make a difference. I participated in different areas of SHRUB, from Food Sharing Edinburgh to the Marchmont End of Term Collections, and I enjoyed discovering what I was interested in. It has helped me figure out my next steps into my future.

I gained professional skills that I might not have learned at university. I was able to lead a project and organise events, I was able to facilitate workshops and teach skills that I had learned. My time at SHRUB has been invaluable and I don’t think I would be as confident as I am now if I hadn’t been part of it. SHRUB also allowed me to meet people with the same attitudes as me and same point of views, it made me feel less alone and excited to be part of the community.”

Mary's story...

Mary joined SHRUB recently after completing online climate courses that made her keen to take action. She volunteered with our end-of-term collections and Freshers Freeshop, participates in our monthly Sustainable Fashion meetings and clothes swaps, and has been a valuable mentor to those learning to sew and mend at our sewing and clothing repair sessions.

"Volunteering at SHRUB makes me feel that I’m doing something positive to combat the climate and ecological emergency and helping others to do so too. I really enjoy discussing sewing and mending projects with people who know what they want to achieve but aren’t sure how to get there… SHRUB provides the infrastructure to support individuals to do more than they could do on their own to live a sustainable life… It enables learning together... fosters a spirit of community, acceptance and inclusion, and reduces social isolation."