B&Q is launching a trial tool trade-in in Bristol this week, which will invite people to hand in broken or old garden hand tools for recycling in return for a saving on replacement tools.
The retailer has partnered with The Conservation Foundation to help run the programme. The charity works across the country, refurbishing damaged gardening implements with the help of prisoners who, in turn, learn new skills.

The renovated tools will be donated to community groups and schools in the area, and B&Q customers will be thanked for their donation by receiving a £10-off voucher when they spend £40 or more on new garden hand tools.

B&Q will be accepting past-it tools over the weekend of June 15-16 across six stores in the local area in what is a first-of-its-kind scheme by the retailer, and which will see HMP Bristol set up a new workshop. If successful, the initiative will be considered for a nationwide rollout.

David Shreeve of The Conservation Foundation, which currently works with eight prisons, said: "There are lots of old tools in garden sheds which are never used, but with a bit of TLC in a prison workshop they can be given a brand new and useful new life in schools and community gardens, where they are desperately needed."