Makes cents not to bin it
Results of a recently released report by Taverner Research Group into the Garage Sale Trail program have shown a win-win for participating Tasmanian councils, with over 10,000 people participating in the circular economy program across the State, a 118% increase on the previous year.
The waste education and behaviour change program, which centres around a two-weekend festival of garage sales, was supported by four local governments across the state - Derwent Valley, Kingborough, King Island and Tasman.
For Kingborough Council, the program saw 3% of the council population participate with 1,310 residents choosing to sell or shop secondhand over the two weekends of garage sales, saving over 11 tonnes of good stuff from going to landfill.
Director of Engineering Services at Kingborough Council, David Reeve, explained, “Programs like Garage Sale Trail play a valuable role in shifting community perceptions of secondhand, supporting the transition to a circular economy and enabling more effective reuse of unwanted items.”
As well as creating short term impact in communities around Tasmania, the latest research also reveals longer term benefits, with the program playing a role in changing resident behaviour and increasing the reuse economy.
Managing Director of Taverner Research Group, Michael Trigwell, who conducted the research explained, “33% of those who shopped the Garage Sale Trail in Tasmania had never previously bought a secondhand item before.”
“What’s more, 59% of sellers had not previously been part of a re-sale activity, whether that be hosting a garage sale or selling on an online marketplace. Both these factors mean an increase in the supply and demand for secondhand products locally into the future.”
With the average garage sale host in Tasmania pocketing an additional $836 and meeting 51 people in their community, this latest research also highlights the social and economic value circular economy programs can bring.
“The results generated in partnership with Tasmanian councils prove the circular economy is alive and well at a community level” said the program’s General Manager Barbara Gill.
“And with households facing increasingly tough financial times in the year ahead, never has there been a better time to start getting the community more engaged.”
Expressions of interest are now open to local governments interested in joining the Garage Sale Trail program in 2023.
Visit www.lesswastemorecommunity.com or email barbara@garagesaletrail.com.au to find out more. Expressions of interest close on 31 May 2023.