Householders can get rid of goods for free on website

A NEW online service was launched yesterday to help people in the Dublin area pass on unwanted household goods — for free.

The Free Trade service, backed by the four Dublin local authorities, aims to encourage people to reuse items rather than throw them away.

More than 20 categories of household items are listed on the www.DublinWaste.ie website — including furniture, stereos, baby products, garden items and clothes.

It’s a condition of using the service that no money changes hands when a trade is made. The prospective trader simply phones or emails the advertiser and arranges collection or delivery.

Dublin Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson, who launched the service, said: “Now that we have established a strong network of recycling facilities in Dublin, and the public are actively recycling, we are moving our focus to encouraging people to reuse as well.”

Dublin City Council senior executive Hugh Coughlan said: “We envisage Free Trade being very popular among first-time buyers, students and landlords, but we would encourage everybody in Dublin who is looking for household goods to check out www.DublinWaste.ie before rushing out to spend money on new goods because everything on the site is usually in good condition and is absolutely free.”

Senior engineer Warren Phelan of RPS Consulting Engineers — which manages the website — said: “We’re hoping this site will encourage people — instead of bringing items to the recycling centre — to think about free trade; that someone else could get some value out of this

“People have put up all sorts of items, such as doors, patios, even conservatories. One lady put up six large slabs,” he added.

People are advised to take precautions when making arrangements to meet strangers to collect or hand over goods.