I thought it appropriate to start things off with a post in support of Blog Action Day.
Every 15th October, Blog Action Day unites the blogging community to raise awareness of a particular issue. This year the issue is poverty.
It got me thinking about how poverty and the environment are connected, and what we can do to alleviate poverty and help the environment.
Addressing the issues
Then it occurred to me… charity shops, of course. And one charity in particular, that addresses the issues head on, Oxfam.
Think about it. How can you turn old clothes and other stuff into something more useful? Easy, just take them along to your nearest Oxfam shop.
Oxfam do a great job of recycling things we no longer want into much needed aid for some of the poorest people on the planet.
A matter of survival
Rising food prices are affecting us all but for the world’s poorest people it’s quickly becoming a matter of survival. Every day more than 16,000 children die from hunger – that’s one child every five seconds.
By giving your unwanted stuff to Oxfam you’re saving it from landfill, giving someone else the chance to use it and helping Oxfam to raise money for vital work.
It’s a 3-way deal, and everyone’s a winner!
What do you think?
Is it part of the solution to our landfill problems that helps alleviate poverty at the same time? Do you use your local charity shop? Share your views by leaving a comment below for others to read…
6 comments… read them below or add yours now
Thanks Katy. I’m a volunteer at my local Oxfam shop and appreciate the work they do in terms of recycling and re-using unwanted stuff.
Did you know that nothing goes to waste at Oxfam – even things we can’t sell get recycled at Oxfam’s own recycling plant, Wastesaver. There’s an article about it on BBC Radio 4.
Great article! I hadn’t thought about how Oxfam shops benefit the environment, aswell as people, by saving stuff from landfill. I shop regularly at my local Oxfam. You can pick up some great bargains.
Thanks cybasurfa. Happy Blog Action Day to you too ;-)
Twitter: @cybasurfa
Interesting post. Like Katy, I never thought of how charity shops are good for the environment. Happy Blog Action Day!
Nice thoughts Paul. But I live in the US and, as far as I know, there’s no Oxfam here. Of course, we do have lots of other charities but none that parallels the great work Oxfam does. One of the problems in the US is that charities are big business and there’ve been several scandals about the huge six-figure (seven figures in one case) salaries that executives earn in these organizations. I hate the thought that my giveaways are being sold to line the pockets of people who earn more than me. As a result, I give all my used stuff to the Sally Army, who don’t pay themselves big bucks.
Thanks Keith. It’s good to get an international perspective!
Giving stuff we don’t want to any charity is a great way to re-use and keep it out of landfill, and if it helps to alleviate poverty and suffering that’s a bonus.
Charity execs earning big bucks is another can of worms and would, understandably, put people off giving.