The new year is a time for new beginnings, so a good decluttering is in-order to start the year afresh. But do it sustainably! We're all for recycle, upcycle and reuse. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure, after all. While you are decluttering, somebody may be using your junk creatively to create their own all-new space!
There are several avenues you can take to pass on or find second hand goodies. These are a few of our favourite ones.
1. Recycle Malta Facebook group
The Recycle Malta (Free items only) Facebook group, with 60,000 local members, is the largest and most active of the free local giveaway groups on Facebook. But it is certainly not the only one. It is certainly worth looking into the diverse list of other recycle groups on Facebook too.
2. Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has outshone the local buy and sell groups in Malta, which previously served that purpose. But with 77,000 members, you'd be a fool not to post your item for sale in the Buy and Sell (the original) group and other similar groups, which, by the way, comes easily - one of the features of Facebook Marketplace is instantaneous posting on multiple groups of your choice as well as the marketplace itself.
3. MaltaPark
Not only can you buy and sell anything from books to boats on MaltaPark, you can even rent or buy property, or find a job or employees! MaltaPark is Malta's oldest buy and sell portal (since before Facebook became a thing) and it finally got a much-needed revamp, including a better look, better menu and better search function! Still much-loved by the locals, this is definitely a source of second hand items that is not to be overlooked.
4. Charity shops
The lovely thing about charity shops is the browsing through piles of stuff to find hidden treasures that you didn't even know you wanted. And they usually come for a steal at an average of 1 euro to 5 euro a piece. Quite a few charity shops have sprouted on the island in recent years, and you probably want to know where they are. Not just to find hidden pre-loved treasures, but also because they're perfect for helping you rid of piles of give-aways all at once.
Are you feeling keen to clear your space...and perhaps fill it with something else?