As a coalition of reuse and recycling organisations, the Total Homes Co-operative members work together to collect, recycle, upcycle and reuse furniture and household goods within Glasgow.

Total Homes Co-operative has been nominated for the Innovation in Business Award, sponsored by Circular Glasgow, as part of the Glasgow Business Awards. It was also nominated for three awards as part of the VIBES Awards: the Scottish Environment Business Award, the Partnership Award and the Circular Economy Award.

The Glasgow-based social enterprise group, which opened in December 2018 hoping to revolutionised the Scottish housing industry, said its four award nominations show the company’s promise of longevity in the sector.

The organisation’s mission is to create a culture of recycling household goods, whilst reducing waste and significantly contributing to the Scottish Government’s targets for reducing carbon emissions. The organisation aims to deliver a transformational business that will be regarded as the benchmark for reuse focused housing collection services.

Total Homes Co-Operative helps property owners, such as housing associations, registered social landlords and private property business owners, prepare their properties for new tenants. They provide cleaning and furniture removal services, as well as fixture removal services, such as taking out kitchens when developing a property, which eliminates the need for a skip.

The organisation has been awarded £312,385 through the Circular Economy Investment Fund and is supported by Zero Waste Scotland’s Resource Efficient Accelerator Programme, as part of the European Regional Development Fund. The group has put the money to good use, paying employees the living wage and saving over 100,828 kg of waste from landfill. They have also saved 155,547 kg of Co2, around 22 years’ worth of a car’s emissions.

Director of Total Homes Co-operative, Pauline Smith, said: “We are delighted that we have been nominated for these awards, the first we have applied to since opening. What we’ve saved from landfill so far is showing just how impactful we can be in reducing property businesses and housing associations carbon footprint, with no extra work for them. We aim to save 80% of what we remove from properties from landfill, and reuse what we can to support people being rehomed, or simply providing an affordable way to refurnish their home.”

She added: “We are saving tonnes of household waste, and deal with it in a socially responsible way. Our services are embedded in a circular economy business model and we aim to act as a leader in the sector and demonstrate the opportunity Scotland has to shift to a circular economy.”

Deputy chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Richard Muir, said: “As we look forward to our 22nd year of the Glasgow Business Awards, we’re thrilled to announce the shortlist following another outstanding round of entries across each of the categories.”

He also said: “It’s encouraging to see so many new names among the shortlist as we remain committed to providing the best possible platform for Glasgow’s businesses, whether established or emerging, to showcase their accomplishments.”

Chair of SEPA and head of the VIBES judging panel, Bob Downes, said: “The scale of environmental challenges facing humanity is enormous, with a real urgency to act. The successful businesses of tomorrow will be those who embrace the economic opportunity of sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.”

He added: “VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards, linked to SEPA’s ambitious ‘One Planet Prosperity’ strategy, recognise Scotland’s leading businesses who show a real commitment to sustainable goods, products and services through leadership, innovation and ambition. I would like to congratulate all the finalists who have been recognised by the VIBES Awards and I look forward to announcing the winners in due course.”