It has finally happened. Stuff has reached the tipping point.
Yep, our consumer culture has finally produced so much stuff, we can’t consume it all–and now there is nowhere for it to go.
The backrooms of thrift stores all over the country are suddenly out of room.
For weeks, we have been hearing increasing reports from thrift stores throughout the region–and nation–that they are receiving record donations and don’t know what to do with all of them, much less what is left over when the items don’t sell on the floor.In Wabiland, we call this excess “Bulk” and we usually sell it to cloth recyclers. But get this: in the last two years, bulk buyers have increased their standards for what they will buy from us, and have dropped what they will pay from 18 cents to 5 cents a pound! And they aren’t excited to come pick it up any more either.
…so we improvised with giant shipping containers to handle the overflow. And now THEY are full.
Wabi will keep managing as much of this excess as we can and keeping it out of the landfill with your help.
Meanwhile, we at Wabi would like to take a stand and tell the world exactly what they don’t need to produce any more of, and what you should NEVER buy new again. Here is our top ten list of stuff to only buy used.
What the World Needs (NOT) Now:
1. Phone chargers, ear buds, ac adaptors, etc
Why pay $12 for new when so many used ones are in neat and tidy bins at Wabi for 2 bucks! For that matter, say you are on a trip and need a car charger for your ipod or phone because you left one at home. Go to the nearest thrift store, posthaste! And pick up a cute hat while you are at it!
One COULD pay big bucks for these same items, at a scary corporate store with a limited selection, if one were crazy.
2. Event paraphernalia and business schwag
This is an easy one, people. This isn’t about buying it. It is about declining it. If you run a race, turn that t-shirt down. If you work for a company that gives you tiny coin purses with the logo on them, return it. And for goodness sake, if you run such enterprises, just don’t send this stuff off to print. You give it to your people, and they give it straight to us, brand new, unworn, unused. Bummer. Spanking. New. Useless. Trash.
Just say no to the swag/schwag dealers.
3. Stuffed animals
If the world stopped making these things today, we would have plenty for a very long time. Nephews love a gently used stuffed dinosaur. Speaking from experience here. Worried about germs? Give it a wash and tumble in the dryer and then hand it to the child in your life. Heck, buy them five of those bad boys. The kid will love one of them and never look at the other four, which you can then: take back to the thrift store!
“We will soon outnumber you.”
4. Plastic kids toys, all varieties
Don’t. Buy. This. Stuff. People. Please. There is so much of it. It would blow your mind. And it is not recyclable. Buy used plastic toys. Or, if you must buy new, buy wooden.
It’s hard for us to look at, too.
5. Brita Products
Not recyclable. That’s right. So at least buy that water pitcher used.
6. Sunglasses
We sell a lot in great condition. And they are gonna get all scratched up anyway. If you are going to treat these things as disposable, which most of us do, buy ‘em used and enjoy your ever changing style upgrades. Plus, your car will be all pimped out. You should see my dashboard.
What goes on here at night?
7. Toiletries
Sunscreen, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, you name it. In cute little mini bottles or jumbo sized. The money I save. Awesome products, too.
We know what you’re thinking. But…who’s ever gonna know?
8. Home décor
Your walls and shelves do not need a darn thing from that boring box store. Plus, these days marketers tell them to make it look “weathered” or “vintage” anyway and charge you ten times the price.
9. Office supplies
Buy your post its, legal pads, binders, staplers, dividers, etc. for so much less and feel so good about the trees you saved by scavenging.
There’s printer cartridges too. That’s right. Take back the power.
10. Art supplies
Buy them used, or better yet, make your art out of trash. A true artist works from inspiration with what is available. One of the best moments of my life was two weeks ago during the sort of our incoming donations. An experienced volunteer sorter pulled a cracked black ceramic ashtray out of the trash and said to the other sorters, “Who threw this out?” A novice sorter admitted to making the mistake but was confused about why the dish wasn’t trash. “Are you kidding?” said the veteran sorter. “This is an angel for Mel’s altar made of trash!” She popped it on the top shelf of the shrine and the new sorters and old alike all agreed: that broke down ceramic was indeed a beautiful black angel.
Here’s to a (re)creative future.
Thanks for reading!
In Wabi,
Mel Gilles,
Executive Director