Sustainability

In addition to the usual online auction websites, Fitzroy is filled with places to donate, sell or purchase secondhand goods. But before you donate or sell, why not see if anyone in the building is interested in what you are re-homing. This list will be regularly updated so if you know somewhere not on this list please share by sending feedback .

In-house

There is always someone willing to lend a bundt tin or share excess herbs. What you need just might be below, if not, ask in the WhatsApp group chat, you never know your luck.

We are currently gathering a hearty list of resources, please let us know in the feedback form if you have anything to share that can be added to our list

Books

• Fitzroy Library is a great borrowing resource for books and e-books. If they don't have what you are looking for they can bring in a wide range of titles from other libraries around Victoria at no cost to you.

• Keep an eye out for neighbourhood book libraries, theres one in the community gardens next to the Fitzroy library and Police station.

Home & Garden

• Carlton Kitchen Library for all those common and uncommon kitchen appliances and extra hosting supplies for the larger-than-usual celebrations.

• The Sharing Shed for basically anything else you might need to borrow

• If you still can't find what you are looking for, check out the Zero Waste Victoria Share & Borrow page

If you have quality goods that need to be re-homed, consider contacting one of the organisations in the Zero Waste Victoria Share & Borrow page to see if they are keen to add them to their inventory.

Gift Buying

The most sustainable gift is the gift of experience. 

Have they always wanted to try archery? Do they love going to the day spa but can never afford it? Wishing they were back learning to cook in Italy? 

Here are some great experiences that won’t gather dust or be regifted (hopefully):

• Cooking lessons - Free To Feed is a great organisation to support

• Day spa or hot springs voucher

• Annual membership to a gallery, museum or their favourite sports team

• Dance lessons

• Language lessons

• Extreme sports, i.e sky diving or car racing

• Film club or a film festival pass

• Digital magazine subscription

• River cruise for visitors

If none of these spark an idea for the person you’re buying for, check out Red Balloon online, they have a wide range of experiences, both locally and Australia-wide. 

If you do have a physical gift in mind, buy local, support small business, they need the money more than Amazon or department stores.

Hard to buy for?

Got someone who has everything or is notoriously hard to buy for? Instead of burdening them with something you’re pretty sure they don’t want, donate to a charity that resonates with their values, in their name. Two gifts, one purchase.

Wrapping

We always default to paper wrapping gifts, which other than being generally a one time use before it’s trashed, is also not always the easiest option for wrapping an awkward shape.

While they are a larger investment initially compared to wrapping paper, fabric bags, or wrapping in fabric,  will be used over and over, reducing waste, and reducing frustration because the paper doesn’t quite cover that basketball as nice as you’d like it to.

Fabric bags can be easily made if you sew (or know someone who does) . Most stores that stock a range of wrapping paper and ribbons will also stock gift bags.

If you have a person that has an affinity for tea towels, wrap your gifts Furoshiki style.