Waste Reduction Week works wonders

DÃ?N Laoghaire Rathdown County Council embraced the recent European Week of Waste Reduction 2013 by hosting a

‘FreeTrade Ireland Reuse Day’ at Ballyogan Recycling Park.

For the event, the FreeTrade Ireland Team met with householders visiting Ballyogan Recycling Park on Saturday, November 16 and informed them about the national online reuse service and its many benefits.

The team rescued items suitable for reuse from the waste skips on site which included a backgammon board, a silver tray, a surfboard cover, two brewing pots, a golf caddy and some antique drain rods.

These items were uploaded to www.freetradeireland.ie and have all since gone on to happy new homes.

“A children’s travel cot in great condition also surfaced on the day of the event,

? said cathaoirleach Cllr Carrie Smyth.

“It really is a perfect example of the types of reusable items that are available on FreeTradeIreland.ie.

“This item is saving the new owner well in excess of

?¬100.

“Within one week of the advert being placed on the FreeTrade Ireland website over 25 people contacted the team to register their interest in the item, highlighting the popularity of the website and the interest quality items generate.

?

The new owner, Ann Maxwell, who is a loyal FreeTrade Ireland user, was delighted to obtain the cot for her new grandchild who was due to arrive on the day she received it.

“This is a very exciting time for all the family, however, it can also be a very costly time,

? she said.

“FreeTrade Ireland is the website I always go to if I am looking for anything or wish to pass on any items.

?

Since the national launch of www.freetradeireland.ie in 2010 over 11,000 items in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area have gone on to find new homes and an estimated 166 tonnes of material has been diverted away from skips and landfills.

Margaret Coles, Green Business Officer with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, said:

“This is a clear example of waste prevention and is estimated to have saved FreeTrade Ireland users in the county over

?¬1.1 million.

?

Giving away your unwanted items for reuse is now even easier following the introduction of the FreeTrade Ireland smartphone app, which allows users more convenient access to the full range of services available on the website.