The need to declutter, which I have mentioned in previous posts, has made me think about the various options available for disposal of unwanted items and how these have changed over the years.
Years ago, many towns had regular auctions and several antique/secondhand shops to which one could take reasonable items of furniture, china, books, clothes, etc. and then there were jumble/secondhand sales and the rag and bone/scrap metal man, who came round with his truck, for the residue.
Now ebay and other online sites have replaced many of the local auctions, car boot sales and charity shops (which are so overwhelmed with goods that they have to throw away not just rubbish but items of some value such as secondhand books in good condition) have taken the place of everything from antique shops to jumble sales and one has to go to the scrap metal yard, visit the bottle bank or recycling site, or 'go to the tip'. It is disturbing to see perfectly good furniture, etc., which could be of great help to a family on low income for example, taken to the tip or just dumped in a skip.
Recently, a few shops have opened in conjunction with the pawnbroking trade but the range of goods with which they deal appears very limited - mainly digital cameras, computers etc. and some sporting equipment.
Does it worry you that you might be 'dumping' items which could be of value/assistance to someone else or is life 'just too short'?
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