Page 23 - Real-08

Five reasons why you should It keeps children entertained

A survey commissioned by the British Heart Taking good quality items to a charity is
spring clean for charity Foundation shows that nearly half of people a perfect sustainable solution for

(48%) find their little ones can get fed up with
decluttering and passing on your
new items within just seven days, and, unwanted items.
shockingly, nearly a quarter (24%) of
parents have thrown away toys in perfect Charity retail ranges from clothing and
With a growing awareness of the importance of cutting down on waste, improving working order.
your mental health, saving vital pennies and helping others, Michelle Kight explores accessories, bric-a-brac, books, videos,
DVDs and CDs, cutlery and household
some of the reasons why you should donate items that no longer appeal to you David Roman, Sustainability Manager at the products.
during your annual spring cleaning. British Heart Foundation, says: “Now more
than ever, it is vital that we find ways to Pet treats, toys and beds are also
minimise waste and cut down on buying new welcome at RSPCA charity shops.
It’s good for the environment items where possible. Second-hand toys are a
great way to start.” If you want to avoid items ending up in
Charity shops are a treasure chest of fantastic landfill whilst supporting local shops,
outfits and not only does your donation help If your children no longer play with their you can donate to over 40 charity
a cause close to your heart, but it also curbs current toys, consider donating their unloved shops and voluntary organisations
the tide of fast fashion, clothing which moves ones to charity, and even bring home within the Rochdale borough, such as
quickly from catwalk to stores in order to meet something new for a fraction of the retail price. Emmaus, Petrus, Reuse Littleborough,
new trends. Then, when it is time to pass things on again, the RSPCA and Springhill Hospice.
you won’t have spent too much money only for
Often cheap and disposable – ultimately ending your child to spend an afternoon playing with it
Decluttering is good for you up in landfill – fast fashion is not sustainable. before it gathers dust in the cupboard. Remember to donate items which are
good quality (if you wouldn’t buy it, why
The fashion industry produced more than 8% would someone else?), and larger items,
There is a reason that renowned organising of man-made CO2 emissions in 2018, accord- It saves you money such as furniture, can sometimes be
consultant Marie Kondo asks people to ing to a report from Quantis. This gets even collected from your home for free by a
consider if an item ‘sparks joy’. If it doesn’t, does more damning when you consider that driver for the charity, by prior
it really belong in your home, where it is taking according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New toys and clothes can be on the pricey side, arrangement.
up space? the total greenhouse gas emissions produced but you can often find new items in your local
charity shops – donated because they simply
annually (1.2 billion tons) from textiles are
Could you spark joy in others by passing an greater than those of all international flights were not wanted by the original recipient. This
item on to someone who will love it? and maritime shipping trips combined. is not limited to just clothes and toys, almost
any gift can be found second-hand or pre-loved.
You could help other people
Research by the UK Gift Card and Voucher Last year alone, the British Heart Foundation
Association shows that around a third of saved over 74,000 tonnes of items from Research by Mazuma Mobile found that 44% of
unwanted gifts are donated to charity and a landfill, including clothes, shoes, toys and Brits suspect they have been given a From the clothes that no longer fit and the
further 20% are put away and forgotten about books, which helped prevent 53,000 tonnes of pre-owned Christmas present in the past and shoes that you no longer wear, to the
in people’s homes. carbon dioxide emissions from being released 52% admitted they would be happy receiving accessories not to your taste, and the books
pre-loved items.
into the atmosphere. This included 15,000 you have already read, volunteers and shop
An estimated 23 million unwanted gifts will be tonnes of pre-loved clothes and an incredible staff can transform unwanted gifts into money
sent to landfill after last Christmas. 180,000 sofas – from just one charity. Results showed that 85% of Brits now for their chosen causes.
regularly purchase pre-owned instead of
Additionally, the Charity Retail Association
Decluttering can also reduce stress: how often estimates each charity shop saves 29 tonnes of paying full cost for new item equivalents. Many shops are dedicated to funding
have you asked a family member to “do textiles from going into landfill each year. From books and handbags, to higher value tech lifesaving research into illnesses and diseases,
something” with an item which then gets left items such as computers and mobile phones, help hospices provide valuable end of life care,
on a promise of ‘I will deal with it later’. Extend the lifecycle of your clothes (remember, this can add up to a pretty saving. and even helping animals in need.

they must be in good condition), donate them
Research has shown that a clearer to charity, and even pick up a new outfit whilst Craig Smith from Mazuma Mobile says: “Many Money raised could help charities raise vital
environment also leads to a clearer mind, thus you are at it – a sure-fire winner as you are of us are simply happy to receive something we funds if donated and resold – and that really
improving your mental health and you feel getting a bargain, helping the charity and like, especially when it is better for the has to be the best thing your unwanted things
pretty accomplished too. helping the planet. What’s not to love? environment and our wallets.” can do.

REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2020 22 23 REAL ROCHDALE - SPRING 2020