IT’S a market where wallets, purses and any form of monetary exchange are banned.
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That’s right, a market filled with free stuff thanks to two 21-year-old, Newcastle students, Bryden Sloan-Harris and Rebecca Richmond.
Trashed Treasure Market will see shoppers free to pick over an array of donated goods and take what they need.
“It’s for everyone and anyone,” Ms Sloan-Harris said. “People can take as much as they want with no judgement.”
The two were motivated to create the market, which promotes up-cycling and re-cycling, due to the overwhelming amount of waste that ends up as landfill.
“We just noticed there were often people putting out their stuff in their front yard,” Ms Sloan-Harris said.
“Watching documentaries on waste – food waste, clothing – and seeing the magnitude of things that could be reused.
“We just thought we had to do something about it.”
For the past few months the pair have been accepting donations and storing them in a shed.
Some of the donations they have received are: the entire contents of a house, clothes, nik-naks, jewellery, art supplies, watches, books and shoes.
“There is just a lot of random things,” Ms Sloan-Harris said. “People have donated so much stuff.”
Due to limited storage space there will be no furniture at the market.
Donations from local food outlets will also be sought in the lead up to the market, meaning there will also be free food to give away on the day.
There will also be a repair cafe called Stitch It Don’t Ditch It. It will see sewing machines set up and anyone is welcome to bring along their clothes in need of mending.
‘We hope people will also be able to learn some sewing skills,” Ms Sloan-Harris said.
Trashed Treasure is just the beginning for this waste-fighting duo, who have adopted the moniker Wasted for their work. Next they plan to roll out up-cycling workshops, and free tutoring for people who cant afford a paid tutor – both women are studying education at the University of Newcastle.
It’s family friendly and it’s on at the Croatian Wickham Sports Club, on October 21, from 10am until 5pm.
