Several local councils in Australia, including Hornsby Shire Council near Sydney, have introduced a scheme that encourages residents to recycle their unwanted goods. The aim of the scheme is to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill.
The scheme works very simply. Residents wanting to sell their unwanted goods notify counicl and sign up to participate in a "second hand goods day". The resident gives his address and agrees to be open for a specified period of time. He is also allowed by council to sell goods from his home and from the area immediately in front of his home. The council promotes the day using leaflets and advertisements in the local press.
The aim of the scheme is to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill or recycling. For residents it also has other benefits. There a chance to earn money, the garage sale is promoted in a co-ordinated way and for free and, the residents' own waste is reduced. An unexpected benefit of the scheme has been the second hand goods days have brought communities together with streets agreeing to participate on the same day and neighbours meeting for the first time.
For councils they have seen a reduction in waste by up to 20%. The scheme is gradually being rolled out in other parts of Australia.
