About HJEM
Empowering Communities for Sustainable Living
Our Mission
At HJEM, we're deeply committed to tackling the staggering issue of waste in our communities.
Did you know that every year, a whopping 22 million pieces of furniture are discarded across the UK? A significant portion of this furniture ends up in landfills, as reported by The North London Waste Authority. Even more concerning, their research shows that less than 10% of people think about repairing their furniture to give it a second life.
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The scale of the problem is immense. The UK disposes of 1.6 million tonnes of bulky waste each year, with 42% being furniture and 19% textiles—totaling 670,000 tonnes of furniture and 310,000 tonnes of textiles. According to WRAP, a staggering 110,000 tonnes of this furniture, found at Household Waste and Recycling Centres, could be reused as it is.
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Moreover, 32% of bulky waste is reusable in its current state, and this figure jumps to 51% when we consider items needing only minor repairs. Yet, the British Heart Foundation reports that 30% of adults discard household items that could be donated, sold, or reused. Alarmingly, a fifth of 16-24-year-olds are unsure how to recycle or donate these items.
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These statistics underscore the urgency of our mission. At HJEM, we're not just about reducing waste; we're about reviving it. By championing the repair and reuse of furniture and textiles, we're turning a crisis into an opportunity for positive change. Join us in making a difference—one piece of furniture at a time.
"Restoring Dignity
Producing Quality"
Though this project is new, it’s backed by over 30 years of experience in the industry. We are in the process of establishing something fresh and impactful, built on a foundation of proven expertise and community-driven growth.
At HJEM, our mission is two-fold:​
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Environmental Impact: Reduce furniture waste and promote a greener industry by upcycling and repairing discarded items.
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Empowerment Through Skills: Provide practical, hands-on training in furniture restoration and design that empowers individuals to gain confidence, find employment, and create sustainable homes.
Why Us / Why Now: Addressing a Critical Gap in the Furniture Industry
Discarded furniture offers us an opportunity to create jobs in an area of high unemployment. There is a shortage of skilled workers trained in the skills to repair and restore furniture, to manufacture using traditional skills and sustainable practices, these skills will be delivered in our training workshops once established.
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At this critical juncture, the devastating state of our environment seen through dramatic climate change, we have to change our ways and address the environmental challenges we all face.
HJEM is taking action and teaching the mainly forgotten skills, traditions of old. HJEM focus is on teaching and training people and communities with skills to create work where there is a great lack. Bringing old knowledge to create new jobs.
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The throw away mentality needs to change for a better future!
HJEM a Community Interest Company, has over 30 years of industry experience to further embed for individuals and communities to embrace to build a future together, to create lasting change.
‘Delivering skills to sustain and thrive for work and life’
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Your support can help drive this transformation, and meet the growing need for skilled, socially conscious workers in the green economy.
22 M
furniture pieces discarded annually
1.6 M
tonnes of bulky waste disposed yearly
110K
tonnes reusable furniture at recycling centers.
51%
reusable with minor repairs