The initiative requires residents to hold a garage or lawn sale to sell, swap or give away their unwanted items before the hard rubbish collections in November and December.

Residents can register their details with the council and they will promote the garage sales on the council webpage.

Cardinia Shire council Waste Education Officer Ella Boyen said many of the goods that were placed out for hard waste were perfectly good items that people just didn’t want any more or required minor repairs.

“Apart from the scrap metals, whitegoods and bundled garden waste, all of it ends up in landfill, which is a waste of resources,” she said.

“Think of the long-term benefits of reducing our environmental impact and the financial benefits of reducing our consumption by buying second-hand rather than just throwing everything to landfill.

“It costs us all by going to landfill, as well as impacting our water, soil, air and climate.”

Second Hand Sunday will be held on Sunday 15 November.

To register your details contact the waste education officer on 1300 787 624.

- Bridget Cook