Garage sale diverts 15 tonnes from landfill
News
30 October 2018
A garage sale in Cambridge saved nearly 15 tonnes - around 13 skip bins - of construction waste from land fill and put it into the hands of keen DIYers.
Over 500 people attended The Great DIY Garage Sale on Sunday, organised by Rob May Builders and Waipa District Council, raising $11,000 for Cambridge East School. Brand new building materials that were destined for the dump were donated by Waipā companies including toilets, basins, GIB board and paint.
Council's waste minimisation officer Sally Fraser said Council was blown away by the success of the event which saw everything including a couple of kitchen sinks be taken away and reused.
There's truth to the saying that one person's trash is another person's treasure and we really saw that on the weekend. We're incredibly proud of the collaboration between the local building industry, Council and Cambridge East School to not only pull off a great event, but help educate the community that there are other options for waste.
Jono McCullough of local construction company Rob May Builders said the event identified a need in the community that could be replicated in towns across the country.
It's amazing to see how our local community took hold of this one idea. Rethinking how we recycle our product has benefited not just a local school but the people and facilities of this beautiful town.
We're looking forward to a bigger and better event next year, Jono said.
Both Sally and Jono are quick to recognise the large number of people that made the event possible.
To all the businesses who donated products, the Cambridge East School PTA and everyone who donated their time - we would like to say thank you! A special mention goes to Shaw's Wire Ropes who hosted us at their premises.
Products and services were donated by Rob May Builders, Tree Town Kitchens, Wackrow Joinery, Carters, Amber Nurseries, Suretrade Building Services, Brewery Joinery, BTG Electrical, Flooring Xtra, Dimond Roofing, Laser Electrical, Wraptrade, Chesters Plumbing and Bathroom, Mike Stent Decorators, Fletcher Sheds, Cambridge Glass, Bowers Brothers Concrete, Camille Guzzwell and New Zealand Police.
Leftover products at the end of the garage sale were donated to Habitat for Humanity.
Photo caption: Glen and Steph Curin pick up a new window at The Great DIY Garage Sale.
Photo caption: Angela Stockley and Gord Thomas nab some bargains on Sunday.