A Greener Christmas: Shop Second-Hand

We all love to treat our loved ones at Christmas, but that doesn’t mean we should go out and buy them a lot of shiny new products, half of which will likely languish at the back of a cupboard for the rest of the year. Much more sustainable – and affordable – is to pick them up something pre-loved from one of Edinburgh’s many second-hand stores or surprisingly chic charity shops.

If you’re unsure where to look there’s The City of Edinburgh Council’s Edinburgh Reuse Map, which will show you all the places nearby where you can source pre-loved gifts for your friends and family, or donate items yourself for someone else who's shopping in a more eco-friendly way this year.

Edinburgh resident Shawna Law has been following this advice this Christmas. On her Instagram, she can usually be found sharing the discoveries she finds while out and about wandering with her camera, but this week she’s been sharing her experience of shopping more sustainably with the help of the Edinburgh Reuse Map. We chatted to her about the experience.

The Skinny: How conscious are you of waste at this time of year?

Shawna Law: Over the years, I’ve definitely become more conscious of waste during the festive period.

How did you use the Edinburgh Reuse Map to help cut down on waste this Christmas?

I’ve always been a big fan of charity and vintage shopping but it’s so useful to have all the information in one place so that I can easily find a shop if I have a specific gift or purchase in mind.

How easy was it to use the Reuse Map to find local second-hand shops?

It was very straightforward. I like that it’s divided up into a few categories such as “give”, “use", and “get” as well as offering you the option to view the shops in a list or map format.

Which shops did you end up going to?

I decided to visit Till’s Bookshop (1 Hope Park Cres), one of Edinburgh’s most charming second-hand bookstores. And, since I had some spare time, I also popped by Unicorn Antiques (65 Dundas St), then the Edinburgh Furniture Initiative (67A Logie Green Rd).

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And what books did you find?

I picked up Autumn by Ali Smith in Till’s Bookshop, which has a lovely range of almost new books and beautiful vintage editions which are perfect for gifting.

You also used the Reuse Map to donate items. What did you give away and where to?

I recently had a small clear out of my wardrobe as I had a few items that I love but they didn’t suit or fit me well so I donated a pair of dress trousers, a blouse, and a few outdoorsy clothing items. I also added a few picture frames and books. I chose to donate my items to St Columba's Hospice Charity Shop on Leith Walk (No.352) as it’s one of my locals. As well as donating there, I’d also highly recommend visiting as it has lovely items that are beautifully presented and friendly staff.

Can you see yourself using the Edinburgh Reuse Map in different ways? If so, how else might you use it?

Definitely. I regularly donate and buy second hand but the Reuse Map has introduced me to places where I can have items fixed or mended – which is great!

image: Shawna Law

Do you have any other plans to help reduce your Christmas waste this year?

I’m trying to take small steps such as being more mindful when visiting the supermarket, in the hope to avoid overbuying and food waste. Also, instead of buying a real Christmas tree, a friend has kindly gifted me an artificial one she no longer uses and if I was to buy a real tree in future years, I’d make sure to recycle it with the council (find out how to sustainably dispose of your Xmas tree at edinburgh.gov.uk/greenchristmas) or plant one in my garden and decorate it with edible ornaments for the wildlife. With regards to gifts, I’m trying to reuse gift bags and also give gift experiences. But, I’m still learning and looking for more ways to reduce my Christmas waste.

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To try the Edinburgh Reuse Map yourself, head over to the Edinburgh Reuse Map
And find out more about how you could have a greener Christmas at edinburgh.gov.uk/greenchristmas

Follow Shawna at @exploringedinburgh