Giving items you no longer need to someone else, not only gives them a second life but keeps materials in use for as long as possible and out of landfill. It's a win-win for the planet.
To help you reuse all year round, we've created this guide to finding a new home for stuff you no longer want or need.
Clothing & textiles
List on eBay. On average eBay sellers make $400-$500 in their first year selling on the platform.* Looking for hot tips on what and how to sell on eBay? Read the blog.
Pass on other stuff to a friend or family member or donate to a local charity shop, in store hours.
For clothing that has come to the end of life, check out RCYCL who provide a return satchel that makes wardrobe clean outs quick and easy. As part of Garage Sale Trail, you can claim one free recycling bag, using code GARAGESALETRAIL when you order on the RCYCL website.
For bedding and Manchester, recycle at your local Sheridan store or contact local mechanics, animal shelters or vets.
Kids toys
Got a plethora of plushies or even a legion of LEGO? Host or join a toy swap near you, sell them at a garage sale or donate them to a local playgroup or after school club.
For stuff that's highly collectible, list on eBay.
If it's at the end of its life, recycle instore at Big W as part of their Toys for Joy iniatitve.
Furniture
Pass it on by selling or giving it away.
Check out Givit and match your items with people impacted by family and domestic violence.
Feeling crafty? Check out Planet Ark's free furniture upcycling video tutorials or get in touch with your local Men's Shed for help getting it repaired.
Electrical goods
Pass them on to a friend or family member or post in a local Good Karma Facebook group.
Repair it yourself, find a local tradie or contact your local Men's Shed to see if they can help.
For stuff that's come to the end of life, check with the manufacturer as many offer take back schemes.
Phones and accessories can be recycled for free by post with Mobile Muster. TVs, computers and printers, can be recycled through the national TV & computer recycling scheme.
Homewares
For items you can't sell or give away to a friend or family member, check out Givit to see what people need near you. You'll be supporting people experiencing challenges with cost of living as well as those escaping family or domestic violence.
If your trusty ironing board is more end of life than spring chicken, check out the services provided by your local council.
For things at the end of their life
For stuff that's come to the end of it's life, check your council website for the services offered near you.
And whatever you do, don't dump it! Leaving items on the kerb or outside an op shop for someone else to deal with is illegal and costs charities and local communities heaps in clean up fees.
This project is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy initiative, funded from the waste levy.
*Based on eBay internal data between July 2020 and June 2023, showing the average value of sales made by new or re-activated sellers.
