Every year, tons of materials are saved from the landfill by choosing to shop at yard sales. The Zero Waste Program encourages yard sales and the habit of buying, selling, and donating used items to raise awareness of the importance of reuse. Embracing reuse is important to achieving our goal of zero waste by 2021. Yard sales are one way of redistributing goods, reducing the demand for new goods, and in the process, also reducing our community’s carbon footprint. Reselling used but functional items is good for ourselves, our community and the environment. 
10 Tips for Smart Shoppers
- Bring a list of what you’re looking for so you can focus on searching for those items.
- If you’re looking out for a large piece of furniture, don’t forget to pack an old blanket, tie-down rope and a red flag in your trunk for transportation.
- Bring a bottle of water and a hat as you’ll be walking around in the midday sun.
- Put cloth bags in your car for bagging small items and cardboard boxes and newspaper for wrapping fragile objects.
- Shop smart and shop quickly by bringing plenty of $1 & $5 bills.
- If you see something you think you may like, pick it up while you decide on purchasing it. Otherwise, another buyer may take it.
- Get better deals by buying in bulk. Group your purchases together and offer the seller one price for the lot.
- If there’s something you have to have but it’s out of your price range, give the seller your business card and let them know that if the item isn’t sold at the end of the day, your offer still stands.
- Don’t be afraid to bargain down the price if you feel it’s too much – it’s all part of the fun.
