Reuse/Recycle Shop Opportunity for Local Nonprofit Community Groups

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is giving local, nonprofit, community organisations the opportunity to apply to run the reuse/recycle shop at the Taumarunui transfer station.

RDC Waste Minimisation Officer, Steve Carson, said that council envisages that a local, nonprofit, community organisation running the reuse/recycle shop could generate considerably more benefit for the community.

“The outsourcing of transfer station reuse/recycle shops by councils to community groups is already well established both in NZ and overseas,” he said.

“This arrangement can provide a real win-win for both the community and ratepayers.”

“Many community groups are able to draw upon the time and expertise of a range of volunteers to repair and add value to items to sell that would otherwise go into the landfill.”

“At the moment there are a wide range of things from furniture needing minor repairs to electrical goods and other stuff that goes straight to the tip that with a little attention could otherwise be sold.”

“This provides a huge opportunity for whoever is running the shop to significantly increase the shop’s turnover and raise even more money in support of their community goals.”

Mr Carson noted that council was not looking for any rental and that there would be no costs from council to the community organisation running the reuse/recycle shop.

“Besides improving outcomes for the community outsourcing the shop frees council’s contractor Envirowaste from needing to look after the store to focus on their core business of running the transfer station and landfill.”

“Council is looking to offer a ‘licence to operate’ the store to an organisation that meets the necessary criteria for up to five years,” he said.

Mr Carson said that any local, nonprofit, community organisation interested in this opportunity needs to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form available from council’s website, www.ruapehudc.govt.nz, or from the Huia St office.

“EOI forms are due in by Friday 14th March.”

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