Sustainable Warminster column

Are you slowing down this autumn and winter?

IT was wonderful to see several charity shops around town this September featuring creative, eye-catching window displays celebrating ‘Second Hand September’.

As autumn arrives and the traditional ‘back to school’ shopping season begins, we’re often encouraged to buy more. But Second Hand September invites us to ask: do we really need new items? Indeed, many schools now offer pre-loved uniform shops and swaps, making it easier than ever to choose second-hand first.

If September passed you by, November offers another opportunity to rethink our shopping habits.The ‘Buy Nothing New November’ campaign, promoted by Keep Britain Tidy, encourages people to escape from the pressure of so-called ‘Black Friday deals’ and spend the month buying nothing new except essentials.

Big shopping events typically harm the environment further because delivering those extra purchases creates more pollution. When you do shop second-hand, approach it with the same care and intention as buying new: shop local, look for quality, resist the lure of unnecessary ‘bargains’ and if buying clothes or soft furnishings, choose natural fibre where possible, as synthetic materials release microplastics into the environment and waterways.

As the days grow shorter and life naturally slows down, autumn and winter offer the perfect opportunity to consume less, buy more thoughtfully and rediscover the value of what we already own — opening the door to considering other, more meaningful experiences and connections.

Written by Rebecca Krzyzosiak, Sustainable Warminster member