Do we really need all our excess “stuff”? Let’s Sell, Swap, Share and Repair instead!

Do you have too many things in your house, attic, garage or shed that you don’t use or need, but have value to someone? Some people find they can’t insulate their loft because it’s full of excess stuff, so continue paying more to heat their home. Others pay £100 monthly for a self-storage unit (UK self-storage charges total £1 billion a year). We have all watched users of the Marlborough recycling facility throw out functional or easily repaired furniture, toys, or electrical goods that could be useful to their neighbours. Overall, UK households throw out 26 million tons of “waste” every year (about 1 ton per household), of which less than half (44%) is recycled. A significant fraction could be repaired at home or with the support of a local Repair Café - the next is in Croft Hall, Hungerford, 10-12.30 on May 17.

So, how can we reduce our demand and pass on excess things that we don’t need?

If (like the author) you sometimes feel a need to buy something new that you would only use occasionally, why not buy second hand - or ask to borrow your neighbour’s ? This spreads the energy (“embodied carbon”) and environmental costs of raw materials, manufacturing and transport across several households, and makes better use of the item. It will also help our neighbours and cost less to share, whether it’s a garden tool, DVD or a child’s buggy. Some other strategies to avoid buying new or pass on things we don’t need are listed in the box.

In France, villages and towns host annual “Vide Grenier” (empty the attic) events to pass useful excess stuff on to neighbours and visitors. So, Great Green Bedwyn is organising a Bedwyn-wide communal “Sell, Swap, Share & Repair” attic and shed clearance event 1-4pm Sunday June 15.

This forms our contribution to UK’s Great Big Green Week, with people selling or sharing their unwanted stuff from a rug or table in their front garden or garage (or a neighbour’s). This can be toys, books, clothes, tools, household items, garden plants, DVDs – anything legal. There will also be a plant stall, pop-up repair café and tea & cake provided by Bedwyn WI – all in or near the church. Great Green Bedwyn will provide a map of people participating to guide visitors walking round the village.

So, please put Sunday 15 June in your diary. If you or your neighbours wish to participate in the “Sell swap and Share” please email us at greatgreenbedwyn@gmail.com so we can – literally - put you on the map. We look forward to seeing you then!