Local residents have embraced the new repair and reuse initiatives across the community after it was revealed more than three tonnes of household items have been saved from landfill in the City of Canning.
The City partnered with local charity Good Sammy Enterprises last November to trial an on-demand donation collection service. So far, 73 households have taken part, with 95 percent of donated items accepted for resale in Good Sammy stores.
According to Charitable Recycling Australia, the donations are expected to prevent around 48 tonnes of carbon emissions. That’s equivalent to a petrol car driving more than 188,000 kilometres, or about 13 laps around Australia.
Mayor Patrick Hall said the program was helping residents reduce waste while supporting social outcomes.
“These services are helping our community reduce waste and extend the life of quality items,” he said.
“In addition to this, the on-demand donation service also creates employment opportunities for people with disability, driving the trucks and handling the items.
“By supporting repair and reuse, we’re not only keeping quality items out of landfill, but we’re also helping residents save money and reduce their carbon footprint.”
Alongside the donation service, the City’s Repair Lab has helped residents fix around 350 items, thanks to 15 community volunteers who have offered their time and skills over the past two years.
The City of Canning is also the first local government in Australia to offer financial incentives for repairs through its Eco Rebates program. Since its launch in November, 23 rebate claims have been approved, covering 31 repaired items including laptops, coffee machines, shoes, sewing machines and bikes.
Together, the initiatives form part of the City’s broader commitment to sustainability and supporting a circular economy.
