CASE STUDY 1: Emaus

Emaus – Rzeszów is an association that is an excellent example of giving everyday household items a second life while also helping those in need. They operate on a local level with two main spaces in Rzeszów and Czudec in Poland.

They source second-hand items by a donation from local people, the items can be brought to their premises during hours of operation or after contact with the association, they can organise pickup with their transport. This ensures that all items, no matter the size and weight, can be transported and have a chance at second life with a new owner. Donated items include furniture, home equipment, antiques, books, toys and others. Those items are then sold at fairs.

Emaus uses social media to share new items that can be brought, to increase visibility and the chance that these items will be sold. This allows more people to find these articles and find a new home.

• Having such a wide range of items, that can be donated and then sold, creates possible wider audience/more customers;
• Easy donation methods and help with transport make it so fewer items land in landfills, making a positive impact on the environment.

Additionally, Emaus is using profits from sales to help those excluded from society, employing them in their second-hand fairs, as well as organising workshops on the topics of social inclusion and professional activation.