We write obsessively about some “flashy,” popular cleantech options — solar panels, electric cars, wind turbines, poop power, etc. But there are numerous other types of more “stealthy” cleantech that are also worth promoting.
Image Credit: internet & globe via Shutterstock
One of those things is conducting more activities online, especially activities that would normally require quite a bit of transportation (e.g., shopping). In spread out countries developed more for the car than other modes of transit (I’m looking at you, US & Australia), this is especially true.
Another option that is often greener and cleaner than not is buying used goods rather than buying new. Our culture is obsessed with “new,” to the detriment of our air, water, fellow species, and (ultimately) ourselves. But this purchasing option does have its challenges and drawbacks. Jeff McIntire-Strasburg of sister site sustainablog writes: “Buying second-hand products as a means to saving money and resources is kind of a no-brainer: gently used items will always cost you less, and you’re making more efficient use of the materials and energy that went into creating them. Generally, the trade-off for these savings has been the time needed to sort through items at local thrift stores, garage sales, and/or flea markets, and the limitation of stocks at those venues.”
Combing online purchasing and purchasing of used goods is, of course, one step greener and solves some of the limitations or challenges mentioned above. Luckily for folks in Oz (I know we’ve got quite a few of you checking in here), you now have a pretty good option for this. ” If you’re ‘down under’, for example, you can peruse quicksales.com.au, an Australian online auction and sales site.”
The quicksales website includes a wide variety of categories — Automotive, Computers, Clothes, Movies, Toys, Tools, Phones, and more. At the moment, the search box on the site tells me that there are 1,892,714 items for sale there.
Of course, there’s always Amazon, but when you have the opportunity, it’s nice to support a smaller, regional startup, don’t you think?
This post was supported by the above-discussed Australian online auction and sales site quicksales.
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