Saving money and the planet on Second Hand Saturday

NORTHERN NSW’s biggest garage sale trail will return on September 20 with the Second Hand Saturday event.

Now in its 17th year, the program encourages residents to take part in an environmentally, socially and economically rewarding activity.

More than 500 people registered to hold garage sales in Northern NSW in 2024, and NE Waste education coordinator Linda Tohver encouraged people to register even if they were just thinking of having a sale.

“It helps to organise people and stuff they want to sell, and you can always cancel before the deadline,” Tohver said.

“We know the weather is hit and miss, so we have a contingency plan that if it’s super wet that weekend, we will look at rescheduling.”

Tohver has spent 21 years in her role and has seen many changes in the sector.

“It’s such a diverse role and so much that happens that it’s never boring,” she said.

“Waste is never a static thing, and with EPA and council funding, we’re investigating things like textiles, reuse and repair, transitioning markets and reusables.

“When we have programs like this that are truly sustainable that bring people together, saving money and having fun, that old saying ‘someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure’ is absolutely the case.”

One trend Tohver has noticed is the rise of younger people engaging in the circular economy.

“I love seeing how for the new generation, it’s just part of the way that they actually shop.

“We still have fast fashion, but in our region, we see a lot more thrifting, more second-hand shopping, reuse and repair.

“We are lucky here to have those opportunities and to have that ingrained in us because we’re in such a beautiful part of the world, I think we understand that connection with nature more deeply as well.”

Registration is free for individuals and organisations.

For information or to register, visit secondhandsaturday.com.au