Placing your unwanted items on the kerb might seem like an innocent way of offering gifts to your neighbours but you could be adding to NSW’s expensive illegal dumping problem.
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In a report commissioned by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Council Officers reported that 83 per cent of household waste is dumped on the kerbside. Cleaning up this waste is expensive for councils.
Many people genuinely see their act of leaving an old but functioning collection of items out on the kerbside as a donation or recycling – but this is an instance of illegal dumping. More often than not, this abandoned object finds its new ‘forever home’ in the local landfill.
Not only is this an unsatisfactory and costly outcome for councils and the environment, it’s also a missed opportunity for people to make money and create a positive outcome for the local community and environment.
Now in its sixth year, Garage Sale Trail is a national initiative that sees hundreds of thousands of people participating in one big day of garage sales. Last year’s event saw almost 3 million pre-loved items up for sale at over 13,000 garage sales across the country.
The Garage Sale Trail was born in 2010 as an idea to create awareness around the illegal dumping problem that existed in Bondi Beach. The aim was simply, to get as many garage sales going on the one-day as possible. The Garage Sale Trail has grown from a grassroots event to a program powered by over 54 local NSW councils alongside the NSW EPA.
“Snowy Monaro Regional Council is proud to once again be part of the national Garage Sale Trail. The idea of passing on what you don't want someone who does want it is a fantastic form of sustainability. It gives local community members the opportunity to make a few dollars from items they no longer want and in the process remove excuses for kerbside dumping”, general manager, Joseph Vescio said.
Residents are encouraged to bring out their good stuff to sell, reuse and make some extra cash. Get onto a good thing and put Saturday, October 22 in your diary and register for free now at www.garagesaletrail.com.au
To report illegal dumping go to www.ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au or phone the EPA’s Environment Line on 131 555.
