The Community Resource Network (CRN) UK (reg. charity 1102277) is the national umbrella body for community & non-profit organisations involved in recycling, re-use and waste minimisation projects. We provide national representation, training, operational and business development support to these organisations in their activities.
The CRN was formed 20 years ago as a membership organisation, to support pioneering community-owned recycling, re-use and waste minimisation schemes. We continue to support a wide range of innovative community resource organisations (CRO) from across the UK and we include in our membership local authorities and public sector bodies looking to work with CRO’s.
Our members’ activities are incredibly varied and include: furniture, computer and paint re-use schemes; commercial & kerbside recycling organisations collecting glass, cans, paper, plastics, etc; on-line waste exchanges; community composting organisations collecting food & garden waste; scrapstores which make re-useable materials available for playschemes; projects taking wood & other construction waste. The CRN supports these organisations to achieve a reduction in waste & CO2 emissions whilst engaging with their communities, and tackling a wide range of social issues.
Why is our work important?
The CRN UK acts primarily on behalf or its members and then for the community resources sector as a whole around 700 organisations. The sector is not just about delivering recycling, re-use or waste minimisation services it is much more than that. The sector is a vital resource for many people in socially disadvantaged situations whether it be through providing meaningful employment, skills training, our job placements to those who find it difficult to find work or through the provision of resources such as furniture and white goods.
Headline figures for the sector include:
- 4,600 jobs supported by the sector
- 43,500 voluntary and training opportunities
- 523,000 tonnes of CO2 saved
- 248,000 tonnes of materials diverted from landfill
The community resource sector were pioneering the concepts of the Big Society over 25 years ago providing services that were developed by members of the community for the community, with any resources remaining as local as possible.
How are we funded?
The CRN is funded through a combination of membership fees, consultancy income and some grant funding. We are always in need of financial support in order to continue representing and supporting our members in their activities.