Bargain hunters hit final sale
Barbara Shepherd knows a good bargain when she sees one.
And for more than 20 years she has found treasures at what has fondly become known as the Hamilton Dump Shop next to the city’s refuse transfer station on Lincoln St.
‘‘It’s really a community facility for everyone. You see men rummaging through old boxes and finding a bolt they’ve been looking for for 20 years.
‘‘You see migrant families come through here and find everything they need for a new house, and they love it.’’
Sadly, there will be no more treasure hunting as the shop will close its doors, under current management, tomorrow.
Essential Recycling and Waste Services, run by Ryan and Jenna Russell, was unable to secure a new contract to run the refuse centre and recycling shop via Waste Management for the Hamilton City Council.
Instead, Enviro Waste will take over the contract and Habitat for Humanity will run the shop.
Ryan’s parents, Murray and Barbara Russell, began managing the refuse centre 34 years ago. The couple noticed a change in the community’s recycling habits as people became aware of the need to reduce waste.
It prompted Barbara to take over the centre’s shop from another operator about 23 years ago, to increase efforts to recycle, reuse and on-sell material coming through the gates.
Ryan and Jenna Russell took over about 10 years ago and in 2015 the business was named the Supreme Winner of the Westpac Waikato Business Excellence Awards.
Ryan said the focus on recycling, from the shop and refuse centre, generated enough income to pay the wages of its staff.
‘‘We’re not reliant on subsidies, it’s a unique model that’s able to sustain and support 30 staff,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘We don’t believe there is anything like it in New Zealand.’’
The family is sad to be leaving. Some of their regular customers visit daily and are known by their first names.
‘‘It’s just been a big part of the community, it’s iconic in Hamilton,’’ Ryan said. ‘‘We’ve had a great team of staff, some have worked at the shop for 20 years or more.’’
The post Covid-19 level 4 lockdown period provided the busiest time the refuse centre had seen under Murray’s watch.
‘‘We had cars backed up out the gates and down to the roundabout, people were waiting for about 40 minutes to get through,’’ Murray said.
‘‘Basically we got four weeks’ worth of material, saved up during level 4, come into us at once.’’
On Sunday, the Dump Shop was flooded with customers looking to get a last-minute bargain.
The shop will open until noon today to sell discounted goods.
‘‘We have organised other destinations where the excess stock can go,’’ Ryan said. ‘‘All of the building material, that’s like iron and timber, we are sending to the Pacific Islands to assist with building projects over there.’’
Ryan said Essential Recycling and Waste Services contract would end on July 1 but he wanted to let customers know a new contractor would start soon.
‘‘We are sad to go but we have enjoyed a good relationship with Waste Management and the council.’’
‘‘It’s just been a big part of the community, it’s iconic in Hamilton.’’