A recent LA Times article highlighted an amazing breakthrough in a new citywide program to promote reuse of second-hand items by beginning a citywide yard sale.
West Hollywood’s city council decided to designate and promote one day each year as their “Citywide Yard Sale” to commence summer 2010.
Palo Alto’s similar inaugural event in 2009 sparked 370 households to participate and members of the council in West Hollywood plan on developing a similar successful program.
Across the nation, these programs encourage reuse of items that might otherwise end up in a landfill while at the same time promoting “Green” awareness and bring hundreds of visitors to the towns where they not only splurge at the garage sale but also at local restaurants. The City Council said “Yard Sales reduce the demand for new goods, and simultaneously reduce the community’s carbon footprint. Reselling used but functional items is good for individuals, our community and the environment.”
Additional benefits to the citywide sale day include no permit requirements for that day nor will a homeowner give up one of their two allowed yard sales per year. Residents would have to register for free with the city to participate, and in turn the city would list the details in the promotional ads leading to the event.
Although one day or weekend per year might be all one city can take, it would make better sense to dedicate two weekends per year to encourage even more families and individuals to participate. If everyone is having a sale the same day then they won’t be able to browse their neighbors sales. Having two sales per year would be beneficial for all parties involved, from the buyer, seller and restaurant owner.
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