FreeTradeIreland.ie, the reuse website managed by RPS, has reached the significant milestone of 50,000 items reused.
FreeTrade Ireland is a community initiative, promoted by local authorities around the country and has been in operation nationally since July 2010. With over 41,000 users the free online service has helped to divert items weighing an estimated 1 million kg away from landfill through reuse. The service has saved its users an estimated €5.1 million through skip hire costs avoided and in savings to new owners who no longer needed to purchase a new item.
“We are thrilled with the success of the website and salute all our users who have found new homes for the 50,000 items free traded and helped to save 50,000 other users the costs involved in buying new items.” says Warren Phelan, Website Manager and RPS Associate. “FreeTradeIreland.ie is a simple concept that provides cost effective resource management to both the people of Ireland and the Local Authorities”
The FreeTradeIreland.ie service is free and easy to use. Households and businesses can save on the hassle of transporting usable unwanted items to local recycling centres or the cost of hiring a skip, while helping someone else that wants the item. To date, people have offered mobile homes, furniture, pianos, office filing systems and even a fully fitted kitchen.
The FreeTrade Ireland team will host a series of reuse days at recycling centres across the country in coming months. To find out more about using the service visit www.freetradeireland.ie, send an email to info@freetradeireland.ie or why not pop in to FreeTrade Ireland Facebook page to find out what the item of the day is!