Leeds City Council launched new scheme to keep locals warm this winter

Zero Waste Leeds (ZWL) have partnered with the City Council to set up their Winter Coat Appeal (WCA) programme in hopes to distribute over 2,000 coats this winter.

The appeal, launched this week, is helping to keep residents warm whilst reducing waste around the city by encouraging people to donate the coats they no longer wear.  

As well as coats, the grassroots movement is also accepting hats, scarves and gloves.

WCA is building on a campaign run last Winter by Zero Waste Leeds, where they redistributed 500 second hand coats to children across Leeds for free.  

To achieve this year’s 2000 coat target, ZWL, have established location points across the city and are working with the public and businesses to encourage a culture of sharing across the West Yorkshire city.

So far 18 local businesses have signed up to collect coats for the scheme and there are 10 places around the city where people can drop off their unwanted jackets, including five of Leeds’ leisure centres.

Cllr Mary Harland, Executive Member for Communities said: ‘It is really pleasing that the council is able to support the great work that Zero Waste Leeds do across our city, as it is so important that as a city, we all come together and support each other this winter.

‘The coat appeal will help ensure that the most vulnerable people in Leeds will be able to stay warm and I would encourage everyone to check their cupboards and wardrobes for unused coats, scarfs or hats that can be donated.’

Gill Coupland, Co-Director of Zero Waste Leeds has also said: ‘It’s clear that lots of families are struggling financially this year and that the cost of a warm winter coat will be out of reach.

‘At the same time, many of us have the odd coat in the back of the wardrobe that we haven’t worn for a while or ones that our children have grown out of.

‘Leeds is a very generous city, we’re really good at sharing our resources – by passing winter coats on we’re being kind to each other and the environment.’

Photo by Markus Spiske