A national initiative that promotes sustainability and community collaboration will return to the streets of Western Australia on October 22.
A national initiative that promotes sustainability and community collaboration will return to the streets of Western Australia on October 22.
The Garage Sale Trail is in its sixth year, and aims to reduce waste and connect communities across the country.
The trail last year exhibited about 3 million items at 13,000 garage sales nationwide.
So far, 873 garage sales have been registered in WA for the 2016 campaign – the second largest participating state behind NSW.
“Last year, 63 per cent of Garage Sale Trail participants said they felt more connected to their local community after the event,” founder Andrew Valder said.
The initiative’s national partner, Men’s Shed, which targets male wellbeing and health, will raise money to improve its facilities by selling handmade wares and repurposed items at sites across the country.
WA locations this year include the Busselton, Manning, Gingin, Hoothills and Serpentine-Jarrahdale sheds.
“Men’s Shed aims to promote good health through being productive and contributing to the community,” chief executive David Helmers said.
“Participating in the Garage Sale Trail is a great opportunity for our members to fundraise and connect with the people around them.”
Other WA registered sellers promoting the day as a fundraising platform include Princess Margaret Hospital, a Bedford outfit assisting the Kasisi Children’s Orphanage in Africa, and the Town of Cottesloe, which will donate its sale’s proceeds to Cancer Support WA.
WA Waste Authority chariman Marcus Geisler said the Garage Sale Trail was an effective way of diverting waste from landill.
"It not only ensures a lot of perfectly good items are reused through the event itself, but also raises general awareness and drives long-term behavioural change," Mr Geisler said.
"This is the most important outcome as the only way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and improve the state's diversion rates is to encourage everyone to adopt smarter waste management practices."
Last year the national event diverted enough items to fill 100 kilometres of shopping trolleys.
According to Mr Geisler the toal waste generated per capita in Western Australia in 2014-15 was 2.4 tonnes, of which 1.4 tonnes per capita was sent to landfill.
Municipal solid waste, or household waste, accounted for 630kg of this total, where 420kg was sent to landfill.
"In 2014-15, WA diverted 2.6 million tonnes from landfill, up from 2 million tonnes in 2010-11, which shows that we are heading in the right direction... however, there is a lot more we can do," he said.
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International acclaim for Kwinana education program
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Run by the International (education business) Partnership Network, the awards recognise the collaborative impact business, education and community organisation partnerships have on its local area.
KIC was awarded first place in the youth employability skills category, which was judged on effective promotion and development of tools, experience and avenues for students to showcase skills to potential employers.
“The award is a great endorsement of the commitment KIC member companies have been making to introduce students in our community to the vast range of careers industry has to offer them,” KIC director Chris Oughton said.
KIC’s education development program has been operating within 20 schools in the Kwinana region for the past four years.
Cricketer Warner first member for Make-A-Wish initiative
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The 100 Club is the charity’s latest donation drive and is an exclusive membership-based program that targets small to medium businesses across the country.
Capped at 100 members, businesses are charged an annual tax-deductible membership fee in exchange for promotional opportunities through the 100 Club communication network.
“For every Make-A-Wish that comes true, there are three more the organisation is unable to reach,” Mr Warner said.
“Every membership means another wish can come true.”
Currently the organisation is solely funded by donations and relies on the support of businesses and the community.