WE have over £48billion worth of unwanted items as a nation that we could rent or sell to make extra cash – but they may not always be obvious.
Many valuable treasures are laying right under our noses and in some cases may be about to be thrown out with the rubbish.
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Your household waste could be a lucrative goldmine that you didn’t even realise was worth a penny.
There are potentially thousands of pounds to be made from your waste, and it won’t just be a welcome addition to your bank balance – you’ll also be helping to create a more sustainable environment.
A recent study found that over 80% of Brits are worried about the environment and are keen to find ways to cut down the 14million tonnes of waste we send to landfill each year.
So, why not make some cash from your trash while also helping to create a more sustainable, multi-use society?
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Where should I sell my rubbish?
The big question most people want to know is: where should I sell my items to bag the most cash?
Well, the good news is that the market for second-hand goods is booming with dozens of resell apps and marketplaces.
But identifying the right place to sell it where you’ll get the most money is key.
I often hear from people who throw everything on eBay, which I understand as it’s a multinational platform where you can sell most items.
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But, while it is likely to help you sell all your items, are you getting the most for them? I’d argue probably not.
You can often double your earning potential if you choose more specific sites that specialise in the items you have knocking around.
I always recommend that people do their research, look at various platforms/apps and find similar items that have sold so you can identify where you’ll make the most cash.
Facebook Marketplace is a great community-driven platform for you to sell or trade in your geographical area.
Selling in your local area means you’re more likely to find someone willing to come and pick it up too.
Gumtree is another good option – it was the first site for free classified ads in the UK and is still going strong 24 years later.
Then there’s Shpock, which I personally love as it’s like a virtual car boot sale but you avoid the early starts in a cold field.
What trash can I actually sell?
Right, let’s get down to the nitty gritty – what waste can you actually sell from around your home to earn up to thousands of pounds?
There are so many items we regularly throw away without thinking that could earn us money.
Not all of your waste is sellable – I’m talking about the waste that can be repurposed, upcycled or reused. No-one is going to buy your used tissues (I hope).
Here is a list of some of the most obvious items we throw away that could make you quids in.
RUBBISH YOU WOULD RECYCLE
The most shocking category of items is those you would generally throw in the recycling bin.
Here are some of the most in-demand items and how much they’re worth to the right buyer:
- Toilet roll and kitchen roll cores – 7-8p each, which over the course of a year could earn you £60-£80
- Empty egg cartons – roughly £10 for 40
- Used Yankee Candle jars – £10 for 3
- Empty perfume bottles – £20 to £40, with some super luxury brands reaching £70
- Old instruction manuals: anything from £4 up to £20
- Wine corks: 100 can sell for up to £100
- Empty wine bottles: £1 each
- Empty spirit bottles such as Jack Daniel’s: £5 each
- Empty glass dessert jars (like Gu): about £15 for 20
OLD PAPERS AND MAGAZINES
Magazines, newspapers and their supplements can attract some pretty impressive figures if you have the right ones.
Papers covering historic events and big headlines can hold their value.
For example, after the death of her majesty Queen Elizabeth II, newspapers depicting this event were being listed and sometimes selling for hundreds of pounds.
I recommend keeping an eye on the papers and getting a copy if they cover monumental events – then selling them straight away as this is when they command a premium price.
Some of the most sought-after headlines from the past are:
- The Cuban missile crisis – £500
- The death of Elvis Presley – £300
- The great train robbery – £200
- Prince Charles and Diana’s wedding – £200
- Death of Diana, Princess of Wales – £100
Argos catalogues from the 80s, 90s or 00s could also net you £50 each.
BROKEN ELECTRICALS AND FURNITURE
Broken household electrical items could still make you some money. This is because parts of them can be used and repurposed.
We are guilty of sending two million tonnes of electrical goods to landfill each year, so why not sell them for re-use instead?
- Kettles – up to £30
- TVs – up to £200
- Old hair straighteners – up to £40
Even broken old furniture can be sold, especially as we’re living through an upcycling revolution. Your old dining table and chair set could earn you about £150.
OLD CHILDREN’S TOYS
My father-in-law recently cleared out his attic and sent everything to charity (which is great) but within there were loads of old toys from his three children that could have likely been sold.
With 165million children’s toys being sent to landfill each year, we could be losing billions of pounds as a nation – especially from vintage toys, which can be worth mega bucks.
Here are some of the top sellers:
- Thundercat figures – up to £400 each
- Some types of Furby – £200
- Super soakers – around £50
- Tamagotchis – up to £100 each
So, what are you waiting for? Empty out those bins, box up your broken electricals and dig out any old newspapers to start making yourself some extra cash from what you thought was trash.
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We could all use some extra pounds in our pockets these days.
Dan Hatfield is the author of Money Maker: Don’t Just Save It, Make It! Available now, published by Catalyst (Hardback, £16.99).
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