New Partnership Launches to Support Local Families Through Donations at Recycling Centres
27 August 2026
A new partnership between FCC Environment, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Baby Basics Northampton is set to make it easier for residents to donate essential items to families in need, while reducing waste across West Northamptonshire.
From this month, residents visiting WNC’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in Brixworth, Daventry, Ecton Lane, Farthinghoe, Sixfields or Towcester will be encouraged to donate pre-loved baby items, including clothing, toiletries, and equipment, as part of a coordinated effort to support vulnerable families across the county.
Baby Basics Northampton, a volunteer-led charity that provides essential items to families facing financial hardship, will work alongside FCC Environment to collect and redistribute donated items. The initiative ensures that good-quality, usable items are diverted from waste streams and instead reused to directly benefit local households.
The partnership brings together environmental responsibility and community support:
- Reducing waste: Items that might otherwise be thrown away will be reused, supporting sustainability goals.
- Supporting families: Donations will help meet the increasing demand for baby essentials across West Northamptonshire.
- Convenient giving: Residents can easily donate items during routine trips to HWRCs.
What Can Be Donated
Residents are encouraged to donate clean, good-quality items such as:
- Baby clothes (0–3 months)
- Nappies, wipes, and toiletries (new and unopened)
- Moses baskets, baby baths and sterilisers (subject to safety standards. No electrical items)
- Blankets and bedding suitable for moses baskets
Clear signage will be installed at participating sites to guide residents on how and where to donate.
Working Together for the Community
Sarah Markham, Assistant Reuse Development Manager at FCC Environment said:
“This initiative is a great example of how collaboration can deliver real benefits for our community. By working with Baby Basics Northampton, we can ensure that items donated at our recycling centres go directly to families who need them most, while also reducing waste and promoting reuse.”
Cllr Nigel Stansfield, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste, said:
"This partnership shows how small actions can make a big difference. By donating good-quality baby items that are no longer needed, residents can help give families across West Northamptonshire the essentials they need, while supporting a more sustainable approach to reducing waste and encouraging reuse."
Gemma Stammers, Operations Coordinator at Baby Basics Northampton added:
“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership. Demand for our support continues to grow with 1 in 14 babies born in the county receiving a starter pack from our charity, and donations like these make a huge difference to local families. Making it easy for people to donate at recycling centres is a simple but powerful idea.”
Get Involved
Residents across West Northamptonshire are encouraged to support the scheme by donating suitable items at any one of the six Household Waste Recycling Centres. Every donation helps provide a newborn with the essentials they need for a safe and healthy start in life.