It’s probably the theme of opportunity shops throughout Australia, which this week are celebrating National Op Shop Week.
The Echuca store, however, takes things to a whole new level, and it has even launched its own “upcycling’’ brand of products titled Collaborate.
Recyclability program team leader Wendy Kellett manages a team of 40 volunteers and CLRS clients, who greet anyone who comes into the store with a big smile and friendly hello.
Operating six days a week, the business has had an overwhelming response in the past 18 months to its collection of quality second-hand products, for re-sale or recycling.
“The donations just keep coming, especially with lockdown when I think people have had time to clear their cupboards,” Mrs Kellett said.
“We have collection bins in Moama, two in the Nish Street car park behind the Workers, two on High St and two in Rochester.
“They get cleared once or twice a week, they are always full and sometimes overflowing.”
The CLRS team delivers flyers with a large blue donation bag attached every Wednesday, into which people can put their goods, and the following Tuesday they pick up the donations.
The expansive volunteer-powered business operates in conjunction with the Murray River Tea Rooms.
And with the re-opening of its 5 Bilkey Crt premises, every Friday from 10am and 2pm, there is now an opportunity for the community to access larger items.
“We have things like desks, bicycles, crockery, all those larger items. When COVID started we had to stop that facility, but we are back up and running again,” Mrs Kellett said.
She explained people who wanted to donate larger items could organise a collection by the CLRS team.
And as for the stock that doesn’t make it on to the shelves, or isn’t included in the Collaborate label, it is bagged up and collected by a Melbourne organisation to be recycled into other products.
“We bag up clothing, shoes and handbags, all separately, and they go off to be recycled,” Mrs Kellett said.
The Collaborate brand produces products such as dog blankets, fruit and vegetable bags, toys and just about anything else that can be made by hand.
The funds from the Op Shop go back into the CLRS programs, supporting clients to reach goals in life.
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