REfUSE

We REfUSE to be part of a wasteful food system. We need to RE-think.

We REscue, REclaim and REuse, so that good food doesn’t become REfUSE.

REfUSE is a social enterprise based in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Our vision is to reveal the true value of things, places and people that may be unjustly wasted or overlooked.

We intercept food that would otherwise go to waste, and use it to make nutritious meals and teach people about the true value of food. A busy, high street Pay As You Feel cafe is the hub, from which we also run restaurant nights and catered events. Surplus food is used in our community shop, to make up Waste Not boxes and cater for events. Our outreach program for schools, businesses and community groups engage and exemplify a healthy and sustainable food system. All our work is fuelled by, and centred around, a dedicated, reactive and inclusive volunteer community. 

Filling our little electric van every day, we intercept between 8-10 tonnes of food each month from supermarkets and retailers around the North East. Along with a force of other organisations, activists and campaigners, we’ve raised awareness of the injustice of food waste at every level, from households and families to businesses and supermarket directors.

Get Involved

We’re always looking for
more volunteers. Find out how you can help REfUSE.

Any financial support would be hugely appreciated and go towards supporting and furthering all our work.

Find out how you can get involved as an individual or business and
support REfUSE.

Lesley Smith
Lesley Smith
January 17, 2024
17Jan'24 - lunch n a drink today, absolutely beautiful food, pork meatballs with penned and a spinach red pepper and feta quiche, with roast potato and sald, followed by some cake. Love this place, great value for drinks and cakes and mains are pay as you feel. Can't wait for the next restaurant night - Korean!! Another restaurant night, Greek tonight, and another great menu, executed well, and all from fresh produce destined for landfill!! Highly recommended.
Clark Davison
Clark Davison
January 11, 2024
I have been meaning to call in for a while and today I finally did. I am so pleased I made the time. The mushroom soup was fantastic, the coffee was great and I met some really interesting people (customers and volunteer staff). It is a non-profit that does great work in the local community, they also operate a "Pay as you Feel" business model - if you don't know what that is call in and find out 🙂
Nathan Wilson
Nathan Wilson
November 10, 2023
Novel and effective. REfUSE have shown proof of concept and in so doing are reducing local food waste. As others have said they operate a pay or volunteer system (with a recommended £5 donation per meal) which is fantastically novel and leads to lots of variation in what’s available. The coffee is great and has a standard (but competitive) price. Over the last year I’ve seen the customer base increase steadily and the smoothness of the service improve. Support these guys if you’re in the area.
Kenneth
Kenneth
October 3, 2023
Great good, very friendly staff all for great causes.
Alex S
Alex S
September 12, 2023
Brilliant scheme - Pay What You Feel, with changing menu and very helpful staff Had a delicious Mushroom Stroganoff and coffee is great too