Q I am moving home and no longer have any need for some items of furniture, including a dining table, some chairs and a large sofa.

A There are hundreds of organisations that could put your unwanted furniture to good use, but make sure you definitely want to get rid of it first. An old sofa can be easily reupholstered or, if it's looking a bit scruffy, covered with a throw. Likewise, a dining table can be sanded back to bare wood or repainted to give it some extra sparkle. Almost anything can be given a lick of paint or used in a creative new way rather than thrown out. If you're absolutely sure you have no use for your furniture, your first port of call should be the Furniture Re-use Network (www.frn.org.uk; 0117 954 3571). The FRN is the national co-ordinating body for more than 400 furniture re-use and recycling organisations in the UK. Last year, its members collected two million items of furniture and electrical items and passed them on to low-income families. You'll find a list of re-use charities on its website, many of whom will be only too happy to come and collect your furniture as long as it's in good condition.

Q After reading your article on wormeries, I'm thinking of buying one. Can they be used for taking care of dog poo too? I've got a couple of Alsatians and it'd be a convenient way to get rid of their waste.
Arthur Mullen

A As strange as it may seem, worms love dog poo. They can't get enough of it. However, the manufacturer of the Tumbleweed Pet Poo Converter doesn't recommend mixing your kitchen waste and dog poo in the same wormery because of pathogens and parasites. Also, the resulting compost should not be used on vegetable plots or in areas that children have access to. If you're still interested in the idea of buying a wormery for the exclusive use of your dogs' poo, you can buy a Pet Poo Converter from Worms Direct UK (www.wormsdirectuk.co.uk; 01245 381933) for £59.95.