Garden tool recycling project

Equipping the next generation of gardeners, teaching prisoners new skills and reducing waste

The Tools Shed Project is currently operating in Doncaster and Edinburgh. Working in association with HM Prisons and funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, Tools Shed repairs your broken or unwanted garden hand-tools and gives them free to local school children and community volunteers to help create and maintain green spaces. The tools are refurbished in prison workshops, providing training for prisoners and supporting them in finding occupation post-release.
How does Tools Shed work?
Tools are collected in partnership with garden centres, recycling centres and environmental hubs. They are transported to prisons in Doncaster and Edinburgh where prisoners are taught the woodwork and metalwork skills they need to repair them.They are then given away free to local school and community groups to support them with a wide range of projects.
tool shed workers volunteers gardening equipment prison education
Where can I donate garden tools?
Tools can be donated at any of the collection points on the map. We can only accept gardening hand tools such as spades, forks and hoes – no power tools or workshop tools please.
Collection points are found in Scunthorpe and Edinburgh.
View map of collection points
How do schools & groups receive refurbished tools?
Tools are available free to schools and community groups in the areas surrounding the prisons and collection points with which we work. They are given away on giveaway days held in the regions we work, so please keep in mind you may have to wait several months to receive tools.
Our tool giveaways are affected by COVID19 but please register and we will contact you when restrictions are lifted.
Register to receive free tools
Register for your free tools
In what regions does Tools Shed work?
Tools Shed works in two partnership prisons in Doncaster and Edinburgh. As we run Giveaway Days local to a partnership prison please have a look at our map to see if this is accessible to you so you can collect your tools.
View partnership prison map