Shiphay business turns waste into woodland

A family-run waste removal firm in Shiphay is combining practical services with climate action by planting 10 trees for every job it completes.

Trash2Trees, founded by Simon Dickinson, provides house clearances, garden waste removal and man-and-van services across Torbay and Teignbridge.

The company has built a local following thanks to its clear pricing and reliable service, along with its environmental pledge.

Mr Dickinson said: “We wanted to offer something more than just house clearances. People in this area care about where their waste ends up – and so do we.

“Partnering with Ecologi allows us to offset the environmental impact in a tangible way.”

The firm funds tree planting through Ecologi which supports reforestation and carbon reduction projects around the world.

Mr Dickinson said the idea stemmed from conversations with customers who had found it difficult to dispose of bulky items responsibly.

“They wanted a service that was easy to use, affordable and had a bit of thought behind it,” he said. “That’s exactly what we offer.”

The business has worked with homeowners, landlords, letting agents and local companies on jobs ranging from single-item collections to full property clearances.

Customer Matthew Cleave, who used the service for a house clearance, praised the team for its “great communication” and for handling a “sensitive removal” with care.

Another client, Joy Meacock, said: “The world needs more people like Simon. My waste was removed quickly and efficiently, and I appreciated knowing it wasn’t all going to landfill.”

Mr Dickinson said: “We don’t overpromise. We turn up on time, do the job properly and leave the site clean. Tree planting is just one more way to make a useful service even better for the community.”

Trash2Trees says it hopes to expand the number of trees planted as the business continues to grow.