By Afiqah Sulaiman
The Garage Sale Trail 2018 poster is displayed on a community board to promote the event. Photo by Afiqah Sulaiman.
On the third weekend in October, more than 400,000 bargain-hunting Australians will take part in the annual National Garage Sale Trail.
It’s billed as the biggest garage sale weekend in the nation.
It’s been running with the slogan #choosetoreuse and has grown since 2010 to become a community and local government-powered environmental movement.
Natalie Macdonald, 20, a frequent Fremantle patron and environmental advocate is one of the many keen shoppers who will be attending the City of Fremantle’s garage sale.
She describes herself as an “environment nerd” – her passion for sustainability drove her to incorporate eco-friendly decisions into her routine including reusable straws and cups, shopping sustainable brands and buying second-hand goods.
“I think these events are not only great for community engagement, but also making people more environmentally aware,” Macdonald says.
“It’s also really important in maintaining and sustaining Australia’s future.”
She also believes it’s “in the nature of Fremantle” that the council has registered to be involved in the garage sale event.
Kateypops Vinyl, Our Old Is Your New and Loki’s Emporium are some of the many community stalls that’ll be selling their goods at 81 Knutsford Street – this year’s venue for the city council’s garage sale.
Fremantle is among 148 councils nationwide that have hosted and recommended the program to their residents.
In a recent media statement, Environment Minister Stephen Dawson said he encourages all Western Australians to participate in the trail to help make the state a low-waste society.
So far, the Garage Sale Trail 2018 has listed more than two million items to be sold across 15,000 venues nationwide including homes, garages and warehouses.
To find a garage sale near you or to register as a seller for free, visit the Garage Sale Trail website.