6 Ways to Buy Nothing New this October

October is Buy Nothing New Month – a great opportunity to create more community, less waste.

Here are 6 simple ways to have more fun while creating less waste this month. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.

Join your local Buy Nothing Group

Getting to know your neighbours and supporting the local circular economy has never been easier! Join your local online Buy Nothing Group and in the time it takes to refresh your social feed, you can receive or give something away. Simply post a pic and wait for the responses. Choose your area and find and join your local Buy Nothing Group here:

Cambridge – Floreat (NW), Floreat (SE), West Leederville
Claremont – Buy Nothing Claremont, Mt Claremont
Cottesloe – Cottesloe (North), Cottesloe (South)
Mosman Park – Mosman Park (North)/Peppermint Grove, Mosman Park (South)/North Fremantle
Peppermint Grove – Mosman Park (North)/Peppermint Grove
Subiaco – North of Hay Street, South of Hay Street, Shenton Park

Think ‘borrow instead of buy’

Do you really need to own it? Borrow or hire items you need for a short period of time and avoid the clutter of having to store it long-term. Give these easy options a go:

Books – your local library doesn’t only have printed books for loan. Sign up for Borrowbox or Libby and get your favourite titles as e-publications. Alternatively, try a Book Swap like this one in Subiaco or find something unexpected at the Little Free Library located at a street corner near you.
Clothing – come to a Wardrobe Refresh and swap your unworn items for ‘new to you’ items. Borrow beautiful gowns for the cost of laundering, hire an outfit from your favourite hire store or support your local op shop and buy pre-loved.
Movies – your local library is also a great source of movies, documentaries, foreign films and more. Join Kanopy to stream your favourites, or borrow DVDs of select titles from the library.
Tools – save your shed space and try a lending library like this one for drills and other DIY appliances.

lending libraries are great to borrow tools and other DIY equipment

Fix or repair

Repairing items gives items and clothing a new life and avoids you needing to buying a new one. Find out what’s fixable at your local Repair Lab or Repair Cafe or local local Men’s Shed, or if you don’t sew, try your local clothing alteration service.

Repair Labs help you fix or repair items instead of throwing them away

Seek out second hand

Does it have to be new? Support the circular economy and try and find that must-have item second hand. Try your local op shop, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay, consignment store or second-hand bookshop (instore or online) and find what you’re looking for at a better price without the waste.

buying secondhand is a great way to support the circular economy without waste

MYO Cleaning products

Keep things clean with ingredients from your pantry, not the shopping aisle. Have fun making one or all of these easy recipes.

You don't Check in your pantry for items like lemon, bicarb and vinegar to clean your home and avoid unnecessary plastics and chemicals

Look for free entertainment in your local area

Create memories, not waste this month. Pack a no waste picnic and take advantage of free activities like these local walking trails, cycle trails, school holiday activities, community gardening, open air concerts and much more. See your local Council’s Events page for more options.

pack a plastic free picnic and enjoy the local free entertainment, parks and cycle trails on offer in your local council

Want more ways to Buy Nothing New this October? Visit Buy Nothing New and follow us on Facebook or Instagram.