It’s almost time for shorts and tank tops, swimsuits and flip flops!  How many people have children’s stuff from last year that just won’t fit anymore, and will have to upgrade? There are countless other items to that become unneeded by one family, but might just suit their neighbors’ needs.  It’s the perfect time to host a ‘re-use’ rummage sale, to help pass things along to new owners and keep them from being thrown out.

Designate a location and specific days for people to drop off items, and get your local print shop to donate  flyers. Start a week or two in advance, and let the community know that you are collecting items for your rummage sale. Your local radio station might be willing to remind folks in the morning about going by to drop off items in selected days.

Offer pickup service for large items if you have someone in your group with a truck. Have tickets available at the drop off locations that can be used the weekend of the sale for buying merchandise. These can be sold for fifty cents each, and marked to allow a dollar off purchases made at the sale!

The week before the sale, have volunteers tag the items. The day of the sale, serve refreshments if you can get the local grocery to donate them, and make a little extra money! Items can be paid for with cash, tickets or a combination of the two. If you have a credit card machine, give an automatic 20% off for paying by credit card - people spend more with plastic!

If someone donates a really great item (a guitar, or a freezer) raffle it off! This can be a great way to generate extra moolah for your group or organization. The winner will be thrilled. You can also offer some door prizes to help draw a crowd - check electronics, toy or home improvement stores and see if they will donate an item or two.

Teaching your community to see the use in previously used items is a great way to cut down on junk in the local landfill, and reduces the need for energy to be expended making new products. Recycling items by reusing them is a great way to save the planet!