Giving goods a second life and children a brighter future

Celebrating the everyday actions that protect our planet and secure children’s futures.

As part of our Future Proofers campaign, we’re inviting Australians to vote, spend, and live with children’s futures in mind. That includes thinking about what happens to the things we no longer need. Across Australia, Save the Children’s op shops are showing that recycling is both good for the environment and a powerful way to build a fairer, safer world for every child. Each item donated, recycled, or bought second-hand helps reduce waste, cut emissions, and raise vital funds for children in need. 

Our goods have a past so children can have a future

Australians send hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothing to landfill every year. Every time someone donates or shops at a Save the Children op shop, that story changes course, keeping quality goods in use and helping the environment and our communities.

Each shop is powered by volunteers and connected communities.

Donated goods are re-loved, repurposed, and given a second life. And every dollar raised supports Save the Children’s work protecting, educating and empowering children across Australia and the world.

And that’s exactly the kind of action the Future Proofers are encouraging: to make choices that protect the planet and children’s futures.

Partnering for good  

Through our partnership with UPPAREL, we’re keeping hundreds of tonnes of textiles out of landfill and giving them a second life. Since 2020, UPPAREL has donated more than 126,447 items to our op shops, raising $1.4 million  for our life-saving projects. Sustainability and social good really do go hand in hand: when we protect the planet, we protect children too.

Volunteers at the heart of our community

Save the Children’s op shops are also about community. They bring together volunteers, donors and shoppers to create change close to home. Every donation dropped off, conversation at the counter, and new treasure found on our shelves, helps  fuel a movement toward sustainability and compassion. This circular model supports both climate action and child rights. It’s local impact with global reach.

Join the Future Proofers Movement

Every action counts. When you donate or shop second-hand, you’re reducing waste. When you support Save the Children, you’re helping protect the world children will inherit.

We invite you to reuse your items as much as possible, donate or recycle the ones you don’t need, and buy second hand items when you can.     

Visit your nearest Save the Children op shop or recycle through our partner UPPAREL today. Every time you donate or shop at a Save the Children Op Shop, you’re helping keep thousands of kilograms of clothing and household items out of landfill, and funding vital programs that support children in Australia and around the world.

Photos: Lumiant Photography / Billie Phillips.