A rugby field’s worth of reusable goods has been saved from landfill and will now be available for purchase at Selwyn’s new ReUse shop, opening this Saturday, 1 March at the Pines Resource Recovery Park near Rolleston.
The 2,000m³ collection includes everything from furniture and whiteware to roller skates, books, homeware, clothing, sports gear, tools, and even musical instruments—including an accordion.
Council Executive Director Infrastructure and Property Tim Mason said the response from the community had been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve been blown away by how supportive and excited the community has been to see the ReUse shop open,” Mason said. “The range of items is astonishing—if you want it, it’s probably at ReUse. So, it’s going to be a really exciting opening day.”
The new shop is part of the ReConnect project, which aims to rethink waste and encourage sustainability. The building itself reflects these values, featuring high insulation, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, natural lighting, timber framing, and a mix of new and second-hand materials in its fit-out.
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Money raised through sales will cover operational costs, with any surplus helping to fund other recycling and waste recovery initiatives at the site.
The ReUse shop follows the success of the ReDiscover education centre, which provides free sustainability and waste minimisation classes, and the ReNourish Community Garden. Future plans could include repair and maker spaces, a multi-purpose waste hub, a tool library, and a landscape supplies yard.
Mason said the initiative was part of a bigger plan to create a more sustainable Selwyn.
“We know from our community that caring for our unique environment in Waikirikiri Selwyn is important,” he said. “The ReUse Shop and the whole ReConnect project are a fun and innovative way of delivering on that in a way that no one else is doing in New Zealand.”
The ReUse shop will be open from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, at the Pines Resource Recovery Park, 183 Burnham School Road.
