Good for your wallet and good for the planet, charity shops are a fantastic way to find pre-loved treasures. While most of us have a mosey around when searching for a pair of vintage jeans or a summer dress, there is plenty more we could be keeping an eye out for.
Sustainability journalist Jo Linehan joined RTÉ Radio 1 to discuss the designer dishes, treasured toys, and gorgeous glassware that can be unearthed if you know where to look.
DIY finds
If you're prone to a DIY project in the house, be sure to check out ReStore. Founded by Habitat for Humanity, the range of shops has everything from hammers and nails to shower fittings and furniture.
They source "perfectly good items" in great working condition from large retailers who can no longer sell them, whether they be display pieces or items that are simply no longer being sold.
Toys
According to Jo, toys that have barely been touch or never even been opened are donated to charity shops like Barnardos and Let's Help Direct Provision. Perfect for your little ones.
Toy libraries are another initiative that is popping up around the country, whereby you can borrow a selection of toys for a couple of weeks and then return them for another family to enjoy. This is an ideal way for kids to keep different toys in rotation and to try different ones on for size. No money wasted.
Read more: 7 steps to setting up your own community toy library
Food
Second-hand food may not sound appealing, but Linehan insists that Olio is a great way to prevent food waste and save money in the process. The location-based app allows users to notify each other when they have an excess of food available.
Whether you have bags of sweets still unopened after a birthday party, or you're trying to empty the fridge before going on holidays, this app helps to spread the wealth.
Just be sure to only offer unopened, packaged items that will be safe to eat.
Cosmetics
The Hygiene Hub take packaged and sealed personal hygiene items, make-up, and beauty products, and tries to find them a new home.
If you got a free eyeliner with your last big shop, or a blusher for your birthday that doesn't suit your skin tone, this is the perfect way to avoid adding it to the landfill. It's also a great way to donate period products for those who cannot afford them.
Furniture
The Age Action warehouse in Cherry Orchard Industrial Estate, Dublin 10, is the place to be when furniture shopping. "The NCBI do a great job of rehoming great furniture items," says Jo.
Wardrobes, beds, kitchen furniture, and much more are available, so be sure to visit often and keep your eyes peeled for a gorgeous find.
Oxfam shops are another great resource for pre-loved pieces, and they have locations across the country.
Miscellaneous
Freecycle groups on Facebook are community-based groups that allow members to share anything at all they are hoping to get rid of, free of price. Whether you're hoping to find something for the house or want to get rid of your own items, this is a great way to do it.
To hear even more great tips from Jo Linehan, listen back to RTÉ Radio 1 above.
