A St Albans charity is asking for unwanted household items to reuse and recycle.

Emmaus St Albans is a homeless charity that gives people a bed for the night or for a long as they need it.

It also provides people with work in their organisation.

National recycle week is running from September 12-18, and Emmaus, is asking people in the community to help.

The charity could reuse or recycle the items and raise money to help as many people as possible.

Companions at Emmuas also take part in Upcycling, where people take old or discarded materials and turn them into something useful.

Daniel Franken, an Emmaus companion, enjoys upcycling and it is now a big part of his life.

Mr Franken said: “Working with wood is something I have always enjoyed and I am about to embark on a course that will enable me to eventually have my own tree surgery business.

“Upcycling and making furniture as part of the social enterprise here at Emmaus has been really important to me as it has stopped me getting back into bad old habits. I spent three and half years in rehab after a 20-year battle with drugs and alcohol, before coming to Emmaus St Albans seeking independence and more options. I have been here for eight months now and I am looking forward to what the future holds for me.”

The charity is asking for items such as furniture, electrical items, crockery or cutlery, clothing and bedding and shoes to be donated.

Last year, Emmaus saved more than 3,000 tonnes of waste from going to landfill, and are hoping to save even more this year.

Jenny Hewson, the community support manager at Emmaus said: “We have had customers in the local community commission pieces of his work, which had led to almost £1,000 raised for the charity.

"With the goods that people donate to our shops we are not only able to raise much needed funds to keep our community going, but we are able to provide meaningful work for our companions so that they can develop their skills and talents and get back on their feet again.”