Annual Impact Review 04

WATCHING OUR WASTE - In Kind Direct reports record in-kind giving   

New products worth £9 million were diverted from landfill last year and distributed instead to hundreds of UK charities working at home and abroad, according to In Kind Direct’s Annual Impact Review 2004 published today, which reports a 50% increase in in-kind giving over the previous year. One of ‘The Prince’s Charities’, In Kind Direct also extended its reach by bringing 460 additional voluntary groups into its network.

Despite the sharp increase in goods donated, the charity believes many more companies could and should choose the in-kind option when disposing of surplus. Explains chief executive Robin Boles, “Our view is that it is the only socially and environmentally responsible choice, a practical solution to community need.”  In Kind Direct channels companies’ surplus products to good causes all over the UK through a single point of contact, freeing up warehouse space, saving on management and disposal costs and reducing environmental damage.

Top donors in 2004 were Corporate Express, Early Learning Centre, Hasbro, Kimberly-Clark, Procter & Gamble, Reebok, Sara Lee Intimates, The Body Shop, The Disney Store and Unilever. Substantial new donors included Crabtree & Evelyn, Mothercare, Robert Bosch, Saucony and The Consortium.  “We are always interested in bringing new ones on board, including small and medium size enterprises, “ says Robin Boles. “We have a good understanding of brand issues and a proven track record of providing a secure and simple way for companies to give in-kind.”

An enrolled environmental body, In Kind Direct differs from other organisations in this area. As Robin Boles explains, “There is a difference between recycling and In Kind Direct’s work redistributing goods at the point before they reach the waste stream. This distinction has still to receive the recognition it needs to attract government funding for what we do. In Kind Direct makes a significant difference to the environment: in 2004 alone we estimate that we were able to divert equivalent to nine Olympic sized swimming pools-full of surplus from landfill to good causes.”

Alternative means of delivery are being developed to make the service accessible to more charities. A pilot retail style operation has just been launched in Paisley with Kibble Education and Care and Green-Works and later this year In Kind Direct’s catalogue will go on-line.  Earlier this month the logistics contract moved to DHL and the sorting, packing and warehousing operation is now at Milton, near Oxford.  These changes will speed up service delivery and increase the quantities of goods distributed to voluntary organisations and the people they serve, enabling In Kind Direct to work with many more charities and donor companies.

In 2004 The London Development Agency became the second regional development agency to fund In Kind Direct’s activities and during 2005 a three year programme backed by the East Midlands Development Agency has begun. Other first time funders included the venture capital and private equity company 3i and two livery companies, The Mercers’ Company and The Drapers’ Company, both neighbours of In Kind Direct in the City. “And once again, Lloyds TSB has continued to house us and provide all our office facilities and services,” says Robin Boles. “This support underpins all our success so far.”

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