PRESS RELEASE: Green Heart Collective Wins Most Innovative Social Enterprise 2022

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION 11/01/2023

Gateshead-based social enterprise Green Heart Collective wins “Most Innovative Social Enterprise” award.

A small business in Gateshead which works towards creating a more ethical and sustainable way to shop has been named as “Most Innovative Social Enterprise 2022 - North East Excellence Award in Ethical Retail Initiatives 2022” as part of the Northern Enterprise Awards 2022, hosted by SME News.

Green Heart Collective, which has been in Gateshead since December 2019, works with local businesses and individuals to rescue perfectly good clothes, yoga equipment, books and other items from landfill.

Andy Redfern, co-founder of Green Heart Collective said:

“We can’t accept business as usual and so we are building an unusual business. We reinvest our profits into our mission of diverting waste away from landfill. This isn’t about making money - it’s about making a difference.”

“£4 billion worth of unworn clothing is buried in UK wardrobes1 and yet as consumers we are always urged to buy more brand new items. Moving into 2023, Green Heart Collective will keep finding new homes for used goods, including giving to those who need it most, liaising with amazing organisations like Peace of Mind North East and Care4Calais.”

“We have also been testing a new, easy and convenient way for individuals to turn their unwanted clothing into rewards for themselves or for their chosen charity. ”

SME Northern Enterprise Awards Coordinator, Kaven Cooper, congratulated the winners: “I am happy to have had the pleasure of hosting this year’s Northern Enterprise Awards and I look forward to seeing what these companies do next. They are all part of our journey as humankind, and there are plenty of businesses here that can elevate our quality of life. Well done to every last one of them.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

(according to the latest WRAP report 2022)

Link to Award Page:

https://www.sme-news.co.uk/winners/green-heart-collective/

What is a social enterprise?

Social enterprises are businesses that work to achieve positive social or environmental impact. They are primarily motivated, designed and driven by a desire to make a positive difference in the world. Like all businesses, social enterprises seek to deliver profit by trading in goods or services, but they reinvest or donate at least half of those profits to their social or environmental mission.