Everyone feels like we throw away too much stuff. One small way to help is to try to find someone who can use the items before you toss them.
I’m happy to say that one of my economic ideas got to the policy implementation stage. I was staring at the Scout gear my son had grown out of and dreading the thought of throwing it away. I could donate it to Good Will, but I thought that the chances it would get to someone who wants it are very low. What parent wants exactly that stuff? So, I emailed our Pack leader and asked if we could start doing a gear swap.
Parents can bring any scout-related items that they do not want anymore to a pack meeting. It is organized on one table with clear information. Anyone can take anything for free if they can use it and store it.
This works better than posting to internet Buy Nothing groups because the scout parents are right there. No one has to drive across town for a “porch pick up.”
More sports teams or clubs should do this. Seize the moments when like-minded people are already together in one place.
Previously from me on Fast Fashion:
Economist Writing Every Day 