Decluttering for Good: Corporate Clear-Out Success Stories
WRITTEN BY KATE GISLASON – SUSTAINABILITY ENGAGEMENT LEAD
At EcoCentral, we know that a good clear-out is often seen as simply a way to free up space — but too often, it results in valuable materials being thrown straight into landfill. We set out to change that. Through our Corporate Clear-Out service, we help businesses and organisations across Ōtautahi Christchurch declutter responsibly, ensuring that as much as possible is reused, recycled, or recovered instead of wasted.One great example of this in action is Christchurch Girls’ High School. As part of a major clean-out, the school worked with our team to responsibly sort and manage a large volume of unwanted items. Through careful separation and reuse opportunities, we were able to divert a significant portion of the material — helping to ensure that as much as possible avoided landfill.
They’re not alone. Over the last 12 months, our Corporate Clear-Outs have supported a diverse range of businesses and organisations — from major retailers to educational institutions. This includes ongoing and scheduled clear-outs with Briscoes, Rebel Sport, SPCA, Salvation Army, and Crown, as well as larger one-off jobs with Christchurch Airport, Lincoln University, Foot Science, Ice Breaker, and Akaroa Salmon. We’ve also assisted individuals and families managing deceased estates or transitions to assisted living.
Every Corporate Clear-Out we facilitate is tailored to the site’s needs — whether that means helping separate items for reuse, coordinating recycling streams, or simply providing an easy and responsible way to remove clutter.
Beyond the environmental benefits, it is also been a fantastic way for organisations to create fresher, more organised spaces that better reflect their sustainability values.
Our work doesn’t stop at collection. Where possible, we link usable materials with local community organisations and initiatives that give items a second life. In the last year alone, we’ve supported groups such as Rage Cage (salvaging non-working TVs for sale instead of landfill), Operation Uplift (collecting bras), and Corrections (diverting bikes for reconditioning and redistribution to recently released prisoners). We’ve also supplied items to schools, libraries, and events, including Matatiki Hornby Library, Sacred Heart Primary School, and Ōtautahi Fashion Week.
We are proud to support Christchurch businesses and schools in turning what might seem like “waste” into real opportunities for reuse and recycling. A huge thanks to everyone who has partnered with us so far — together, we are proving that a clear-out can be good for people, good for the planet, and good for the future.
