Aucklanders clearing out unwanted items from their homes and gardens this spring are being encouraged to give them a second lease of life, while helping their community.
With the high cost of living seeing many still struggling, Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) provide low-cost alternatives for everyday items, thanks to those who take their unwanted items to their local CRC instead of sending them to landfill. CRCs across the region accept a wide range of materials and are a great local resource for anyone looking to reuse and recycle more effectively.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says before throwing anything away, consider whether someone else may have a use for it.
“People may be surprised how many household items can be reused, repaired or repurposed – for their own use or others. Keeping an item out of landfill and in circulation as long as possible helps support your local community by providing a source of affordable preloved items, and it helps protect our environment,” says Ms Haves.
“Local community recycling centres are treasure troves of household goods, most only gently used and sold at minimal cost. All of Auckland’s CRCs are run by charitable organisations or social enterprises that invest any surplus back to benefit those who need it most.”
The start of spring also coincides with “Secondhand September”, a global movement that encourages people to choose pre-loved items over brand-new for the entire month. The initiative aims to encourage a rethink of buying habits and puts the focus on reuse, whether through donating, shopping secondhand, or upcycling.
Supported by Auckland Council, many CRCs are “one-stop-shops”, with a reuse shop, regular Repair Cafes, courses and workshops to help repurpose goods.
With only 14 shopping weeks left until Christmas, now is a great time to explore one of their courses or creative workshops for repurposing or upcycling objects into memorable Christmas gifts. This is a fun and sustainable way to give new life to old items and create something truly unique.
Aucklanders short on time, capacity, or transport, can check with their local CRC, as several centres will collect items.
Inorganic collections and other ways to dispose of unwanted items
Quality finds at Devonport CRC.
If local collections are unavailable, the council’s inorganic collection offers a convenient way to dispose of large unwanted items during a clear out. Each Auckland household has one week every year they can book to have unwanted items picked up.
If the items can be repaired, repurposed or reused, they will be given a second life. Many collected items are donated free of charge to community organisations, like opportunity shops, art groups, schools, and non-profits.
In addition to council services, there are online platforms like Neighbourly and local Facebook groups, as well as charities and social enterprises, that make it easy to pass on furniture, clothing, toys and household goods in good condition.
Many Auckland Council-licensed waste collectors also aim to recycle as much material as possible.
“If you don’t know where to go or how to get rid of an item, you can use the search tool on the Auckland Council website. Just enter the name of the item or select from one of fourteen categories and you will see a list of organisations and places to take your item,” says Ms Haves.
“There are many ways you can reuse, repurpose, and recycle unwanted items that are good for the environment and local communities. Check out your local community recycling centre or the Auckland Council website to find out how.”
Find out what you can recycle or dispose of and where it goes:
- at community recycling centres
- at transfer stations
- through inorganic collections and
- with Auckland Council’s online search tool.
When dropping off unwanted items at community recycling centres, there may be charges for some items. These charges cover costs like sorting through donated materials, making repairs, or covering disposal if the items are not suitable to reuse or repurpose.
