Nearly 300 tonnes of items have been given a new home through Townsville’s Magnetic Island and Hervey Range tip shops in 2022.
The weight of the diverted items is equivalent to about eight humpback whales, 300 saltwater crocodiles, or 600 grand pianos.
Water and Waste Committee chairperson Russ Cook said the stats showed just how important re-using items was when it came to sustainability.
“We all know the three Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle. Having tip shops at Hervey Range and Magnetic Island makes it easier than ever to make sure items are given a long lease of life through reusing them before they’re recycled or sent to landfill,” Cr Cook said.
“In 2022 we had a whopping 298.8 tonnes of material diverted through our tip shops. This is an impressive figure, especially considering these items often don’t weigh much individually.
“Of that figure, 16.4 tonnes were sold through the Magnetic Island Tip Shop last year. The shop has more than 100 transactions per month, which is significant when you take into consideration the small population on the island.
“The other 282.4 tonnes were diverted through the Hervey Range Tip Shop. Diverting waste from landfill is a strong commitment for the city, as we strive towards our goal of growing a circular economy that advances business and moves towards zero waste.”
Cr Cook said there were some interesting ways locals were upcycling items from the tip shops.
“Locals get creative with items from the tip shops. We’ve heard of ironing boards being used as fish filleting stations and potting tables; satellite dishes turned into bird baths; mobility walkers transformed into gardening tool carts, and bedheads used as trellises,” he said.
“Recently we had a mannequin sold at the Magnetic Island Tip Shop, so it just goes to show that if you’re looking for something unusual you’ll likely find it at one of our two tip shops.”
