Join 115+ councils across Australia.
Be part of Australia's biggest sustainability and community building program.
Be part of Australia's biggest sustainability and community building program.
What is Garage Sale Trail?
Powered by 115+ local councils, Garage Sale Trail is an award winning community engagement program that promotes and encourages reuse and waste avoidance in communities across Australia. Including a ten-week waste education campaign that runs from September - November, the highlight of the program is one big weekend of garage sales which takes place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 November 2021. The event gets over 200,000 Australians choosing to reuse.
Why councils get involved
It works: Data from a third party research company showed that Garage Sale Trail 2019 redistributed over 3 million kgs of items Australia-wide and that 86% of participants were now more likely to reduce waste at home. That's why 92% of councils recommend the program to others.
It supports the local economy: For every $1 invested by a council partner, $10 is generated for the local community.
It can save councils money: Estimates show that the program can save councils between $2,500 and $20,000 p.a. in costs for landfilling useable items and operating council collection and pick up services.
It's easy to deliver: The program is powered by Garage Sale Trail and the community. Each local seller invests 29 hours organising and promoting their sales, and council partners tell us they invest an average of just one day a month delivering the program between September - November each year.
It supports the local economy: For every $1 invested by a council partner, $10 is generated for the local community.
It can save councils money: Estimates show that the program can save councils between $2,500 and $20,000 p.a. in costs for landfilling useable items and operating council collection and pick up services.
It's easy to deliver: The program is powered by Garage Sale Trail and the community. Each local seller invests 29 hours organising and promoting their sales, and council partners tell us they invest an average of just one day a month delivering the program between September - November each year.
KEY BENEFITS
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Waste educationGarage Sale Trail achieves huge reach and engagement by promoting reuse via the fun and familiarity of garage sales. 86% of residents are more conscious about waste and understand their role in reducing it as a result of taking part. Data & case studies
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A national movementGarage Sale Trail has local relevance but national scale. Participants tell us they love being involved in a "national movement" of Australians choosing to reuse on the one weekend. National scale is created through extensive media coverage and in 2019, we reached a cumulative audience of over 18 million people nationwide. Data & case studies
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Community engagementIt's a council program the community love - 90% of sellers and 96% of shoppers want to get involved again and over 80% support council's involvement in the program. Councils tell us the event is an opportunity to build positive relationships with residents, and promote related services. Data & case studies
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Community buildingThe Garage Sale Trail weekend helps people to connect more deeply with their community - their neighbours, schools and community groups. On average, participants meet 49 new people during the event and 77% report feeling more connected to where they live after participating. Data & case studies
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Economic developmentGarage Sale Trail not only helps families, community groups and charities to fundraise, it also helps residents to access affordable goods. It's also a fun way to connect local businesses and the local community. Some councils even leverage the event's popularity to drive tourism. Data & case studies
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Positive media for councilsThe media loves the program, as it generates local stories with real flavour and authenticity. 71% of councils participating in the program generated a positive media outcome in their local newspaper. Data & case studies
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Australia’s leading waste education program inspiring everyday Australians to transition to the circular economy.
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This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.
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