HAMPSHIRE County Council is asking residents for their views on reusing old furniture and electrical appliances, and whether they regard it as trash or treasure.

In a public on-line survey, launched last week, the county council is seeking views to help put in place arrangements to encourage more re-use and ensure less goes to waste.

Rob Humby, Hampshire’s executive member for environment and transport, explained: “As resources and public finances are squeezed, it’s important we look at all options to reduce volumes of waste in the system to try to bring down the £100 million each year Hampshire’s household waste is costing.

“There are many aspects to reducing waste from up-cycling to composting, but this survey is specifically looking at large household items such as sofas and fridges to try to find out if more would be re-used if people knew more about the options.”

The survey explores attitudes to buying and donating old furniture and electrical appliances, and explores what the barriers may be which prevent people from exploring the possibilities of re-use to keep these items out of the waste system.

The online survey is open to all residents until Friday, September 14. Everyone who completes the survey is eligible to be entered into a draw to win £100 worth of leisure vouchers.

The results of the survey will help inform Hampshire’s Smart Living campaign which began in 2015, to encourage people to make small changes to their lifestyles in order to waste less and save more.