Go secondhand splurging
Buying preloved items isn’t a new concept, but the way we do it has changed dramatically in the past few years. Sure, antique stores and op shops still exist, but lately, more and more goods are listed on social media marketplaces as opposed to in physical marketplaces.
This means your options as a shopper have exploded (figuratively speaking, unless you’re in the market for fireworks). You don’t have to rush to a vintage store to find a bargain, or elbow others out of the way at a local market. Now, you can find everything you need using just your phone.
The best part? Shifting to digital hasn’t taken away the two best parts of secondhand shopping: the hunt, and the haggle. Just be polite, OK?
Get mending
You know the expression, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Well, sometimes things do break, and need fixing. It can be tempting to chuck something out if we don’t have the skills to repair it ourselves (just think of all the genuinely good gear left out during hard rubbish). But why not see a breakage as an opportunity to learn a new skill?
We guarantee you will feel so much better about yourself even if you do something as small as sewing on a button. And if you don’t have the time or inclination, repair stores and alteration places still exist. Support small businesses while reducing waste. Everybody wins.
The Three Rs
Reduce, reuse, recycle.
Captain Planet has been singing this tune since he blasted out of the sky and forced us to think about which bin to put our empty bottles in. It’s a classic phrase for a reason, and is becoming more important with each day.
You’re probably aware of the growing dangers of climate change, but did you know that Australia put 76m tonnes of waste in landfill in 2018-19? As environmentalists are keen to highlight, “reduce” is the very first R for a reason. The less we use, the less we have to recycle or throw away. It sounds simple, but every one of us has the power to make more conscious choices.
We can shift our thinking from ‘It’s OK, this thing is recyclable” to “Do I really need to buy this thing?” It’s an important transition that benefits everyone.
Rent
The three Rs have just been mentioned, but maybe a fourth one should be added: renting. Sites such as Car Next Door and Airbnb use this model, and the space is growing. Co-founder of online rental marketplace Releaseit, Peter Krideras, says the rise of the share economy has fundamentally changed the way younger Australians view ownership.
“We no longer need to own things, we just need access,” he says.
Releaseit has innovated the rental space, creating access to goods in a wide range of categories, including clothing, home and garden, electronics, vehicles and even party goods.
This means more people can use these items, secure in-demand brands, have more experiences, save money, and lighten their environmental footprint.
“What we wanted was to create a sustainable platform, allow consumers to reuse what they already have, and reduce overall production and waste,” Krideras says.
Rent
No, that’s not a typo - we did say “rent” again. But this time, why not try being the one to share? You don’t have to be a landlord to collect rent. Sites such as Releaseit allow you to sign up quickly and easily to list and share your own items for others to enjoy (temporarily). And don’t worry: there are heaps of protections in place for both renter and seeker to ensure everyone makes the most of the experience.
The list of categories is impressive, and will only grow from here, so take a look around: do you have a power tool collecting dust? Gazebo left over from a party? Renting out to others helps you make some extra cash while knowing nobody contributes to landfill. Captain Planet would be proud.
Start a side hustle with a positive impact via Releaseit.
