EMRC employee Neil says there’s a range of interesting items at the tip shop.
Camera IconEMRC employee Neil says there’s a range of interesting items at the tip shop. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Chidlow: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure rings true after a year for Grab n Go @ Mathieson

Sarah BrookesHills Avon Valley Gazette

THE old adage ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ is alive and well thanks to a re-use shop at the Mathieson Road Waste Transfer Station in Chidlow that has celebrated its first year of operation.

The purpose-built sea container, known as Grab n Go @ Mathieson, gives residents the opportunity to recycle suitable household items and help themselves to anything for free that they may have a use for.

Mathieson Road Transfer Station team leader Neil said there were some heart-warming finds for residents.

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“Recently an older married couple came to the station and said their doctor had told them to purchase an exercise bike,” he said.

“They asked if we had any working exercise bikes at the Grab n Go shop and funnily enough – and lucky for them – an exercise bike had been dropped off only the day before and it was in great condition.

“The couple was ecstatic and returned home with a good-as-new exercise bike free of charge.

“On another occasion a man found a box of vintage tools in the Grab n Go shop.

“He asked staff whether he could take a couple home, so we told him he was welcome to take the whole box.

“He was thrilled and said that the tools were exactly the same as the ones his dad used to have.

“So what had originally been someone’s ‘throw-away’ brought back sentimental memories for someone else.”

With the Shire of Mundaring’s annual bulk rubbish collection underway, Shire President David Lavell said it was a perfect opportunity for residents to reconsider whether some of their items originally destined for the tip, could be salvaged before going to landfill.

“Think of all the natural resources used to create everyday items that we use around the home, and all the energy and effort that has gone into making these things,” he said.

“Instead of wasting these resources in landfill once we have finished using them, we can rethink our rubbish and choose to re-use, upcycle and recycle.”

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