New doesn’t always mean better

Thinking about buying something new? Why not check out what’s already out there? 

October is Buy Nothing New Month, a great opportunity to pause before you purchase and consider whether you can borrow, swap, repair or buy pre-loved instead. 

The City’s Reuse Shop at the Recycling Centre is a great place to start. Since opening in August 2025, the community has donated more than 62 tonnes of quality pre-loved items, which Workpower staff sort, prepare and put up for sale in the store. 

And when we say ‘quality’, we mean it. From furniture and homewares to sporting equipment, collectables, bric-a-brac, toys, books and more, you never know what you might find – all at bargain prices.  

Buying pre-loved can save money, keep useful items in circulation and reduce waste. It can also reduce the demand for new products and the resources and emissions associated with manufacturing them.   

Australians generated around 790,000 tonnes of hard and bulky waste in 2024–25, including furniture and other large household items that potentially could have been reused. In 2024, we also bought 1.51 billion items of clothing, with around 220,000 tonnes sent to landfill - showing there’s plenty of opportunity to choose pre-loved and keep useful items in circulation.  

So, if you’re having a clear-out to make room for some new-to-you treasures, consider donating good-quality items to the Reuse Shop. For larger unwanted items that can’t be donated or reused, you can also book a Verge Valet™ collection and have them collected from your verge. 

This Buy Nothing New Month, think twice before buying new –-your next great find might already be waiting for you. After all, what’s old to someone else, could be new to you.  

The Reuse Shop is operated by Workpower and is open Wednesday to Sunday, 8am–2pm, at the City’s Recycling Centre at 199 Thelma Street, Como.