Don’t dump it - donate it instead
They’re part treasure hunt, part recycling centre, part community support network.
Our local charity stories, The New Zealand Red Cross Shop and The Salvation Army Store, are packed with quality second-hand goods at low prices. From clothing and linen to kitchenware, books, games, gifts and the occasional unexpected find.
Both stores play an important role in keeping useful items out of landfill while helping support the wider community.
In this story - the next in our Figuring out Waste series - we look at two Waimate stores that support the community with donated goods.
Red Cross Shop manager Susan (centre) with volunteers Vicky and Rae.
Red Cross Shop
Address: 99 Queen Street, Waimate
The Red Cross Shop is run by a team of volunteers led by Susan Foley, with a strong focus on community support and keeping quality items in circulation.
“The generosity of locals is amazing,” Susan says.
“The quality of the stuff we get is incredible.”
The shop also prepares emergency packs of clothing and household linen for people who lose everything through hardship or emergencies..
Interestingly, like the rest of the stores here, they get an increase in visitors around the time of the Oamaru Steampunk event - they started coming in last weekend, according to Susan.
This store accepts donations of most things, apart from electrical goods.
If you’re having a clear out of things like clothing, homeware, kitchenware, games, books and linen, please drop them off during opening hours.
If donated goods don’t sell after around six weeks, they move through the wider Red Cross network to find a buyer.
Books that don’t sell are passed on to Bookarama, while children’s clothing and school uniforms are redirected back into the community through organisations like the Parents Centre and uniform room.
The shop cannot accept electrical goods due to the cost of safety certification.
Clothing donations need to be clean and in good condition, with working zips and buttons.
Don’t import rubbish
Susan says op shops across the country are increasingly dealing with large volumes of poor-quality fast fashion from big overseas online retailers.
“One thing we’d like to ask people is to stop buying cheap imported things. People will drop it off in strange sizes with the tags still on. It’s made of crappy material, poorly designed, not biodegradable, the packaging can’t be recycled. Then there’s the carbon footprint of bringing it here.” Susan says.
“We’re very against it. The amount of it coming in over the borders is not on, it’s wrong on so many levels.”
Instead, she encourages people to buy fewer, better-quality items - especially second-hand.
“You’re much better off buying cheap good-quality second-hand clothing.”
Volunteer Annie and store manager Malissa at the Salvation Army Store.
Salvation Army Family Store
Address: 135 Queen Street, Waimate
This store is now operating out of the Salvation Army building in Boland Park. A short walk down the road from the bulk of the stores, and just across the street from the Waimate Community Market that operates on Saturdays.
Run by manager Malissa Sutton and a team of volunteers, the it’s another popular stop for second-hand shoppers in Waimate.
Malissa moved here from Perth and has been managing the store for almost three years.
“I never saw myself running a charity shop,” she laughs.
“But it’s a nice change from being behind a desk in an office and the volunteers here are great!”
Goods that they can accept
The store accepts most items in good preloved condition, with the exception of electrical goods and child safety items such as car seats and cots.
The store is full of great finds donated by locals.
“We’re really grateful for such a supportive community,” Malissa says.
What sells well
Women’s clothing is one of the biggest sellers, alongside books, puzzles and plenty of bric-a-brac.
And like many second-hand stores, there’s always the possibility of stumbling across something unexpected.
“Pop in when you can, you never know what you might find.”
More than just saving money
For Malissa, second-hand shopping is about much more than bargains.
“Second-hand shopping is about so much more than saving money,” she says.
“It’s about giving beautiful items a second life, reducing waste, supporting our community, and proving sustainability can still be stylish and affordable.”