How can we do "our bit" for the environment?

We are living in a time where we are all being made responsible for what is happening to our planet. With global warming and the depletion of natural resources we all need to do ‘our bit’.

On the flip side, we are also in danger of being eaten alive by consumerism. Advertising giants are paid multi-millions of dollars to entice us to part with our hard earned cash and we are constantly encouraged to update everything we own or fear the dreadful fate of getting left behind.

Every single item you see available to buy in stores or on line has been manufactured. Manufacturing is one of the biggest producers of green-house gases so we should be encouraged to recycle the things we buy.

A great way to do this is through charity shops. You might know then as ‘thrift’ shops, opportunity shops or trash and treasure shops. What ever you call them they are all shops that rely on donations of goods from the public and the proceeds of their sales go to a charity organization or to help local community.

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It’s easy to donate. Most shops will be happy to accept your unwanted goods as long as they are of good quality. Clothes should be clean and in good, wearable condition (no rips, tears, holes or stains). A good rule of thumb is if you would no longer wear it, why would someone else?

If you are not sure what your local charity shop will take, just give them a call first or better yet, pay a visit to the shop and take a look around to see what they sell.

It is far better to donate goods while the shop is open unless there is a special donations bin for this purpose.

Don’t dump unwanted junk outside charity shops, again, if you don’t want it – why would they? Charity shops spend thousands of dollars to get rid of junk each year.

Many people believe charity shops are there to supply cheap goods for the less fortunate and while this is true to some extent, these shops can offer something for people of all walks of life. They can be a treasure trove of eclectic and eccentric items, things from yesteryear, collectibles, antiques, dressing up costumes or simply the perfect outlet to be just that little bit different.

So why not pay a visit to your local charity shop and do your bit for the environment.