Swansea popular bargain hunting centre Tip Treasures online

SWANSEA Council has been inundated with appeals from residents to know when the Tip Treasures shop at Llansamlet recycling centre is re-opening.

Although no reopening date has been set yet, the shop is now open for business on eBay, with some of its top offers going on sale. To find out what’s on offer at Tip Treasures online go to https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/swanseacouncilOpens new window

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment Improvement and Infrastructure Management, said that some staff who normally work at the shop have been re-directed to support other recycling services during the pandemic.

Other staff are working to improve the shop building so that it will be a better experience for customers when it returns.

Cllr Thomas said: “We know everyone misses Tip Treasures and we’ll be re-opening as soon as we’re able so it’s safe for customers and staff.

“But thanks to residents’ recycling habits we’re still getting some good quality items through that our teams are able to refurbish and put up for sale at very low prices. Many of these items would have ended up going to landfill or be broken up for scrap.

“Our team is helping reduce waste by offering these refurbished goods at affordable prices on eBay instead. Any profits made go back into running this much-loved service.”

Up for grabs are flat-screen TVs, games consoles, furniture, instruments, speakers and amps, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners and much more. All electrical items have been functioning and safety tested and are sold with a month’s warranty.

James Gear is one of the electrical technicians normally found carrying our repairs and safety tests on donated items. He has been busy helping run the new online service with the rest of the team and says it has had led to some positive results.

He said: “The new online service has helped us reach a brand new audience across Swansea and further afield, including many people who have never visited the shop before.

“It’s something we hope to be able to continue to use for more specialist items when normality resumes alongside the usual and much-loved shop service.”

In order to maintain physical distancing arrangements, items sold on eBay will be available for collection from the shop at a time agreed with the customer.

Items including furniture, electrical, bikes and sports equipment can be donated for reuse by residents at Llansamlet and Clyne recycling centres.