Don't be a square. Get circular.
We’ve all heard the phrase reduce, reuse, recycle — but what does it actually mean in day-to-day life? And why does it matter?
At Garage Sale Trail, we believe in making the circular economy easy, visible and fun. Because let’s be honest: the linear way of living (buy, use, chuck) is a bit… square.
Reuse was how our grandparents rolled. Stuff was precious, often hard to come by and held onto for dear life.
Fast-forward to today and things are cheaper, faster to make, and easier than ever to throw away.
The problem with fast stuff
Take clothing. On average every Australian buys 55 new items of clothing every year (Seamless), with 200,000 tonnes ending up in landfill annually.
Sounds like time to rethink that old take-make-waste mindset, don't you think? It’s time to understand that what, and how we buy, impacts not just our hip pocket, but the entire planet too.
Let’s face it, it’s time to stop being a square and get circular!
Why circular wins
When you buy or sell secondhand, the effort and raw materials used to create those items get another chance to shine.
Research from WRAP shows that simply extending the life of one item of clothing by nine months can cut its carbon, waste, and water footprint by 20–30%.
Reuse isn’t just thrifty — it’s powerful.
Ways to get circular
♻️ Refuse unnecessary stuff
Say no to over-packaged products or things you’ll never use. No one needs 14 copies of the Ray Hadley Christmas Album - honestly, one is probably too many. Politely re-gift unwanted gifts and ditch single-use items so they never leave the shop.
🧵 Repair and refurb
Join a Men or Women's Shed. Stitch those holes up. Sew a button back on it. Goddarn it, learn to darn it. There’s about a gazillion ways you can fix the stuff you have.
🤝 Share and reuse
Find multiple functions for your stuff. Buy secondhand first, or otherwise give it away and donate it. Use a tool share, a car share, a house share. Sharing is caring and it's good for you, and your community.
♼ Recycle what you can and dispose thoughtfully of the stuff you can’t.
This is the last resort. Understand what goes where and become a king or queen of recycling. The good people at Planet Ark have a handy directory you can use to view recycling centres near you and learn more about the best disposal methods for the things you no longer need.
And whatever you do, don't leave your stuff on the kerbside. Items will likely end up in landfill and you could be fined.
Join the movement
Reuse is one of the easiest ways to live more circular. And Garage Sale Trail is here to make it fun and easier to do.
Garage Sale Trail 2025 is happening on 8-9 & 15-16 November, Australia-wide.
👉 Register your sale today.
