Buy Second-Hand Goods
From eBay to the trading post, garage sales to the local op shop, there are a host of ways to grab a second-hand bargain. The common adage that a new car loses 20 per cent of its value when you drive it off the lot applies even more so to most other goods. By getting into second-hand gear you'll save thousands of dollars every year; discounts on second-hand items would put most sales to shame. Need a T-shirt? You can spend up to $100 on a new one or browse your local op shop and pick one up for $2, with the proceeds going to charity. From an environmental perspective, purchasing second-hand goods extends the life of the thing you are buying and defers or avoids the need for more resources to be used in making a new product.
How to do it now!
Visit your local op shop - Op shops exist to provide cheap goods and support charities focused at helping the poor and ailing members of our community. They are generally staffed by volunteers and always have a bargain or two - or three...
- Recycling Near You website lists a range of inner city charity stores that are great places to pick up a bargain and help a great cause at the same time!
- The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre Cooperative Ltd
- St Vincent de Paul Society
- The Salvation Army
- Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Lifeline
Check out the local street markets and garage sales - These are another source of great deals, and can also be an opportunity to meet your neighbours. Look for signs on a light pole, in the community paper or on café notice boards to find out where and when.
Buy second hand goods online - Try reading The Choice Buying Guide: Second-Hand Goods', which describes the rights and responsibilities of buyers and sellers of second-hand gear.
Some online sites from which to buy (and sell) second-hand goods:
And for sites which list free goods try:
Why this action is important?
Reusing existing products has a twofold effect on the environment. It reduces the need to extract more materials from nature and it circumvents large amount of concentrated (and often toxic) man-made materials entering the environment and having to be processed by nature.