
Volunteers at a British Red Cross charity shop © Anna Gordon/British Red Cross
How are you doing with your New Year’s resolutions?
Many of us have already given up on the resolutions we made only a month ago.
Maybe you are not going to run that marathon after all. Or even walk the dog for five more minutes each morning. Not today, anyway.
It’s easy for good intentions to get lost in everyday life.
But here are three ethical resolutions you can make at any time. And they will help you, the earth, and people who need British Red Cross support.
1. Make ethical fashion choices: use a charity shop
Research estimates that 300,000 tonnes of clothing goes into landfill every year in the UK.
The carbon footprint of the UK clothing sector is getting worse. But sustainable fashion is a growing trend that will, no doubt, continue through 2019.
To help change this, you could buy clothes that are made from recycled materials, opt for locally made fashion or choose organic, natural fabrics.
Another fantastic option is to buy second hand. This is not only good value for money but also great for the environment as the clothing will not be clogging up landfills.
All British Red Cross shops sell donated clothing and accessories, and we also have several vintage and designer charity shops across the UK.
Winter is a great time to declutter and our shops are always grateful for donations.
They could be anything from clothing to toys and books. This is both a great way to reduce waste and to get rid of any unwanted Christmas gifts.
The money we raise in shops helps support people in crisis in the UK and overseas.
By becoming a little bit more conscious of how you buy and donate your clothes, you will contribute to an improved fashion industry and, ultimately, an improved world.
2. Take up a new hobby: become a volunteer
Getting involved in something new can be a little daunting, but it should also be fun, exciting and motivating.
Volunteering in a charity shop can give you the opportunity to play a role in keeping fashion sustainable. At the same time, being a volunteer gives you the chance to help your community, learn new skills and meet new people.
Do you like to talk with and help people? You can serve customers and promote the shop in your area.
More interested in design? You can create attractive displays.
If you’d rather play a backroom role, you can volunteer to unpack and price people’s donations.
The Red Cross has a range UK volunteer opportunities. From fundraising to first aid, they will help you use your free time to make a real difference to people’s lives.
3. Make sustainable swaps: reduce and recycle

Reusable coffee cups coming soon to Red Cross shops , © British Red Cross
The concept of sustainable living is rapidly gaining traction and there are lots of simple changes that you can make in your daily routine.
A great start would be to try to reduce your single-use plastic waste and the Red Cross is committed to reducing our carbon footprint.*
You can recycle your used printer cartridges by post with the British Red Cross.
Plastic bottles are one of the most common items of litter found on Britain’s beaches, so carrying a reusable water bottle is becoming more important than ever.
Carrying a reusable coffee cup will also help to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. Plus, many coffee shops will give you a discount when you use your own cup and there are so many eco-friendly options.
The British Red Cross will be introducing a selection of reusable coffee cups this spring in shops and online, so keep your eyes peeled!
Introducing less plastic and more reusable products into your life can be extremely rewarding, both for yourself and for the planet.
We can all make an effort to care for our world. Doing it through the Red Cross can also mean caring for ourselves, our communities and people caught up in disasters, wherever they may be. Will you join us?
Enjoy a healthy and happy 2019!
- Please share any pictures with us on our Instagram or Facebook channels, using the hashtag #BRCBargains. We’d love to see how you’re getting on with your sustainable New Year’s Resolutions!
- Find your nearest charity shop
- Find a volunteer role that works for you
- When volunteers become friends: why volunteering at a Red Cross shop can be more than just a job
Mellissa Oliver is a volunteer with the Red Cross’ retail communications team, which is based at our national retail centre in Surrey.
*Reducing carbon emissions, including our use of plastics, is firmly on the Red Cross’ agenda. We were awarded with the Carbon Trust Standard in 2013. In 2015 we received the ISO 14001 standard certification for our environmental management systems.
Feb 11, 2019 @ 11:34:34
I like the helpful info you provide in your Blog. Really explains everything in detail. The blog is very interesting and effective. Thank you for sharing an informative article.
Feb 11, 2019 @ 16:17:37
Good blog Mellissa and thank you for linking to the carbon reduction page. It’s an important message you’re relaying, recycling clothes etc. through our shops is just as important environmentally as it is an income stream to help deliver our important services.
Feb 15, 2019 @ 11:13:10
everybody should follow the three R’s that is REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE to manage the excessive wastage of materials, it will be more beneficial and economical
Jun 15, 2019 @ 20:47:46
Three resolutions to enhance your career in 2019.. Improve digital skills, work life balance, Collaborate to win
Nov 22, 2019 @ 10:26:20
At one point or another we’ve all heard about the “three R’s” of sustainability: reduce, reuse and recycle. The goal of the three R’s is to prevent waste and conserve natural resources.
Jan 07, 2020 @ 17:16:11
Where do I send old mobile phones please?
Jan 14, 2020 @ 15:44:45
Hi Elaine, Thank you very much for asking as I can see that the page in the link doesn’t give information about mobile phones. I will check with our supporter care team and get back to you, or if you prefer to contact them yourself, they are on: supportercare@redcross.org.uk and 0300 456 1155. Thank you, Diana
Jan 14, 2020 @ 17:35:21
Hello again, Unfortunately mobile phone donations ended at the British Red Cross in 2019.You may wish to look on Recycle Now’s website for advice on where you can recycle your old mobile phones and who accepts these as donations: https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/mobile-phones-0
We’re sorry we cannot accept items of this nature at this time, but thank you for thinking of the British Red Cross.
May 07, 2020 @ 15:45:23
Very good information…
Oct 09, 2020 @ 10:59:27
I think it is disgraceful that the Red Cross make all these laudable statements about reduce, reuse and recycle and then they throw out anything which they don’t sell – my local Red Cross Shop is surrounded by red Biffa bins in which the segregate and throw away books, crockery, DVDs and all sort of things – about 50% of which there is absolutely nothing wrong with and indeed has shop stickers / prices on indicating it has been for sale in the shop but because it has not sold it has been thrown out! I believe if customers were aware of this they would take their donations elsewhere. I certainly am.
Oct 19, 2020 @ 12:47:22
Hello, I’m sorry to hear this about your local British Red Cross shop. I will check with our shop team and get back to you about this and our policy on recycling.
Oct 26, 2020 @ 09:52:39
Hello, I looked into this with our shops team and they ask that you raise formal complaint or let them know about the situation via retailcomplaintsandqueries@redcross.org.uk, saying which shop you are referring to. This way we can look into the issue and ask the regional manager to follow up with the shop team directly. Thank you again for taking the time to comment on our blog.