One way to cut down on this huge problem is to buy second-hand or pre-owned items. And there’s a growing list of ways to do it: many high street charity shops have also gone online, in addition to online marketplaces and local listing sites such as Freecycle.
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Which.co.uk: Six ways to shop more ethically – from Black Pound Day to new sustainable brands
BM Magazine: Who says you need money to start a business?
Source any equipment you need for free through Freecycle, a community website on which people can recycle unwanted items, or the freebie section of listings sites such as Gumtree and Craigslist. Right now, for example, someone is offering a free office table in London and free catering equipment in Edgbaston
https://bmmagazine.co.uk/in-business/advice/who-says-you-need-money-to-start-a-business/
The Sun: SUN SAVERS :Save the planet and cash by trying these ways to get kids’ stuff for free, or next to nothing…
SUN SAVERS :Save the planet and cash by trying these ways to get kids’ stuff for free, or next to nothing…
FREECYCLE: Not purely for kids’ stuff, but worth knowing about all the same. Freecycle is a worldwide community of people who give stuff away to each other for nothing at all. You can find a group local to you and search for whatever you need next. Start looking at freecycle.org.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/15301218/save-planet-and-cash-get-kids-stuff-for-free/
Borehamwood Times: New and improved waste collection vehicles in Hertsmere
“Residents can help by reducing the amount of waste they produce, reusing what they can and recycling what they can’t. Use sites such as Freecycle or Gumtree to rehome your unwanted items. Remember to sort your waste and use your food, garden and dry recycling brown bin.”
https://www.borehamwoodtimes.co.uk/news/19374800.new-improved-waste-collection-vehicles-hertsmere/
The Independent: World Environment Day: What action can I take to tackle the climate crisis?
The climate crisis is the biggest existential challenge modern humans have ever faced, and judging by our progress so far we’re not coping with the threat of annihilation very well.
Ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall, it bears repeating that those seven nations have, since the Covid-19 pandemic, pumped billions more dollars into greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels – worsening the crisis – than they have into clean energy.
Despite decade after decade of increasingly desperate warnings from scientists and activists, and more and more promises from politicians and corporations, the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted through human activity is still going up, the temperature is going up, and the risks are going up too.
The Greater Manchester News: Giant rainbow made from recycled cans appears in Piccadilly Gardens
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nyone looking to bask in a bit of the sunshine this half term in Manchester city centre might come across a giant rainbow that has appeared overnight in Piccadilly Gardens.
While it’s not to coincide with Pride Month, as some might presume, the giant rainbow installation is actually part of a campaign to raise awareness over recycling.
Measuring four metres high and seven metres wide, the rainbow is made entirely out of recycled cans and has been installed by not-for-profit group Every Can Counts.
The Guardian: Twenty firms produce 55% of world’s plastic waste, report reveals
The enormous plastic waste footprint of the top 20 global companies amounts to more than half of the 130m metric tonnes of single-use plastic thrown away in 2019, the analysis says.
Single-use plastics are made almost exclusively from fossil fuels, driving the climate crisis, and because they are some of the hardest items to recycle, they end up creating global waste mountains. Just 10%-15% of single-use plastic is recycled globally each year.
Ideal Home: Getting rid of old furniture? These companies are making it easier to pass on pre-loved pieces
You can also list items to sell on Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and FreeCycle. You can even list things as collection only, so it’s simply a case of taking some pictures, writing a description and waiting for someone to come and take it away.
https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/getting-rid-of-old-furniture-tips-276391
Ideal Home: Presenter Angellica Bell shares her five simple swaps for creating a more sustainable home
4. Freecycle old pieces of furniture
If you’ve had a good clear out, rather than taking your old unwanted items to the tip Angellica recommends taking them to a charity shop or freecycling.
‘Often with things we don’t want we put it on freecycle so people can come to pick it up,’ she explains. ‘You put the item online, and if someone wants it you arrange to go meet them with it.’
There are plenty of websites dedicated to freecycling, and charity shops that specialise in homeware. However, do check that the item is in good condition before dropping it off.
But don’t just stop at handing on second-hand items, consider investing in them too. For inspiration for making the most of older items take a look at our upcycled furniture ideas feature.
https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/angellica-bell-shares-sustainable-swaps-in-the-home-276472
Money Saving Expert: Ikea launches ‘buy back’ scheme for old furniture – and you can get up to 50% of the item’s original value
If you’re looking to buy Ikea furniture, picking up a secondhand item will be cheaper than buying the same item new. But you may be able to find cheaper secondhand furniture by going directly to sellers elsewhere – so it’s worth checking the likes of eBay and Facebook Marketplace first. You may even be able to pick-up free furniture on sites including Freecycle and Freegle.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2021/05/ikea-buy-back-old-furniture-launched/