Impact of Dottie's Community Fridge

Dottie’s Community Fridge is about much more than food. It is about people, community and sustainability.

Since January 2025, the project has made a real difference:

• 4,375 visits to the fridge
• 8.49 tonnes of food redistributed back into the community
• 213 litres of milk and juice shared

To put 8.49 tonnes into perspective, that is roughly the same as:

• Around 1.5 adult African elephants
• More than 8,000 bags of sugar
• Approximately 17 grand pianos

Every item saved reduces waste and supports local people through rising living costs.

Environmental Impact

Dottie’s Community Fridge has helped prevent an estimated 21 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, which is equivalent to:

• Driving more than 52,000 miles in a petrol car
• The annual electricity use of around 8 UK homes
• Planting approximately 950 trees and growing them for 10 years

By redistributing surplus food, we are helping to:

• Reduce landfill waste
• Lower carbon emissions
• Make better use of resources
• Support a more sustainable community

Growing with the Community

The project continues to grow:

• Expanded from 3 sessions to 5 sessions per week
• Now open for 12 hours each week

This ensures more people can access food at times that work for them.

Volunteers at the Heart

Our volunteers are central to the success of the fridge. As the project has grown, so have opportunities to get involved.

Volunteering offers:

• A sense of purpose and belonging
• Increased confidence and wellbeing
• Opportunities to meet people and build skills