Garage Sale Trail returns during National Recycling Week

Thrifters, vintage lovers and second-hand bargain hunters are in for a treat this weekend as the Garage Sale Trail rolls into Townsville to help kick off National Recycling Week.

This year’s Garage Sale Trail will feature garage sales across Townsville on 7 and 8 November, and 14 and 15 November, giving residents the opportunity to shop second-hand, declutter their homes and connect with their local community while reducing waste.

The Garage Sale Trail is one of several ways residents can get involved in National Recycling Week, with a range of activities and initiatives planned across Townsville to help reduce waste and keep valuable materials out of landfill.

Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the Garage Sale Trail was a simple way for residents to save money, reduce waste and give unwanted items a second life.

“Every year more than 10,000 tonnes of reusable and recyclable materials end up in landfill across our city. The Garage Sale Trail is a practical way to keep some of that out of the tip and put it back into the hands of someone who can use it,” Cr Dametto said.

“Last year Townsville hosted 101 garage sales and residents pocketed a combined $83,000 over the two weekends, so there’s a real benefit for households as well.

“Whether you're clearing out the shed, passing on something you no longer need or hunting for a bargain, it all helps reduce waste and get more value out of the things we already own.

“National Recycling Week is a timely reminder that what we throw away comes at a cost. Too often we send things to landfill that still have plenty of life left in them. If someone else can use it, sell it, swap it or give it away, that's a better outcome for the environment and for ratepayers.”

Townsville City Council is supporting a range of recycling initiatives across the city, including a free recycling bin supersize program, school tours of the Materials Recovery Facility, and practical information to help residents recycle more and landfill less with the Recycle Mate app.

Residents can register their own sale or find participating garage sales in their area by visiting garagesaletrail.com.au.