Buy second-hand products
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...
- St Vincent de Paul Society (Mildura) - 9 Lime Avenue, Mildura Vic 3500, ph: (03) 5023 5750. Open Times: 9.00am - 5.00pm Mon - Fri 10.00am - 1.00pm Sat.
- St Vincent de Paul Society (Ouyen) - VRI Hall, Farrell Street, Ouyen Vic 3490, ph: (03) 5092 1644. Open Times: 1.30pm til 4pm Wed 10am til 4pm Fri 10am til 12pm Sat.
Check out the local street markets and garage sales - These are another source of great deals, and can also be an opportunity to meet you 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:
Additional resources
- Etsy - An online community for buying and selling hand-made things (though not necessarily second-hand).
Why is this action important?
Reusing existing products has a two-fold 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.