Longford's REVAMP's project manager discusses the idea behind reuse month

October is National Reuse Month in Ireland, and Breda Murphy, project manager at REVAMP 3R Store in Longford town, came to chat about what REVAMP does with furniture, textiles and how people may want to get involved.

The shop, which has existed for 22 years, is about low-cost, reusable items being given new life. The EDI (Employment Development Information) was established in 1998 and was there to support unemployed and marginal groups in the recession. In 2002, Longford was identified as having high unemployment among youth, such as young travellers. From there, the REVAMP training programme grew with practical skills and soft skills. This ultimately led to the REVAMP shop.

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REVAMP diverted a total 61,000kg from landfill in 2024. The number of staff employed at REVAMP is currently at 22.

“We were saving carbon,” reflected Breda. “But we were here to train young people in life skills and the shop was providing low cost, quality furniture for the community. We were impacting the community socially, environmentally and economically.”

One of the challenges that Breda identified when advocating for Reuse Month is the understanding of what circular economy is.

“It’s all about reuse and repair. Think basic, what we use in our own home. Textiles are one of our biggest polluters in Ireland. If we could get people to share among friends and family, and get into the habit of sharing. Same with food waste. We’re always hearing about it in the media and Christmas. Think about what we’re buying each week, cook portion sizes; keeping food fresh. Doing away with processed foods. We don’t need food that is travelling all over the world. Local is cheap and more affordable, more nutritious but getting people to think. Less is more.”

REVAMP prides itself on supporting their customers in their journey for sustainable items. With 12 members of staff between craft and retail, the company is an expert in the market for those interested in affordable items, or wanting to revive older pieces.

“With REVAMP being a national model, we’d love that people come in, chat to our staff, find out about circularity and how we can help you become more circular. How we can help the community transition. This transition to low carbon will be difficult and we understand. We want to support, reach out, and bring our workshops into the community. We run them in conjunction with Longford County Council and make life easy so that people understand what it is about.”

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Hoping that young people will be encouraged to reuse and repair, Breda concluded that the community plays a crucial role.

“We are indebted to the community because they donate furniture that we upcycle and sell low-cost. That’s what made us the project.

If we hadn’t our skilled staff, the project wouldn’t be what it is today. The contribution in the community is with us.”