Community & Business
24 August, 2022
Buy back takes off
MAREEBA’S new Buy Back Shop has been officially opened and from all accounts, locals are keen to come in and find a bargain.
Mayor Angela Toppin and Cr Lenore Wyatt officially cut the ribbon to the new facility last Friday, ahead of the shop’s first trading day on Saturday.
The opening was a resounding success, with 221 sales for the day. The Mareeba Men’s Shed cooked up a sausage sizzle and over 100 customers grabbed a bite to eat.
Mayor Toppin said the Buy Back Shop was part of a broader strategy by the shire to reuse as much waste as possible.
“While we aspire to reduce and even avoid waste, if these goals are not achievable then we, as a council and as a community, must look to the circular economy for ways to recycle or reuse waste materials for as long as possible,” she said.
“The Buy Back Shop will result in improved environmental, financial and social outcomes for the community and will operate at no net cost to council.
“Mareeba Shire Council is three years into a 10-year waste strategy. The Buy Back Shop will reduce waste and enhance reuse of waste products.
“Furthermore, income generated from sales at the Buy Back Shop will offset the cost increases associated with the State Waste Levy and the closure of the Mareeba Landfill.
“Council will also use the income generated to support recycling initiatives,” she added.
The Buy Back Shop, located at the Mareeba Resource Recovery Centre, which is part of the Mareeba Transfer Station on Vaughan Street in Mareeba, will be open to the public every Saturday from 10am to 3pm.
