Bargain Basket Received Sustainability Award from County

Collier County Recycling Ordinance 2009-56 established the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) and recognizes businesses, institutions, and multi-family residences for exceptional and innovative recycling programs.

On April 11, 2023, the Bargain Basket Thrift Store was recognized with a Proclamation and a plaque from the Board of Collier County Commissioners as “contributing to the greater good of Collier County by advocating the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle message, thereby helping prolong the usability life of the Collier County landfill.”

According to Samantha Arago, Outreach Manager for the United Church of Marco Island, the Bargain Basket Thrift Store keeps items out of the Collier County landfill by accepting gently used donations, including artwork and décor, kitchen and housewares, sporting goods, electronics, tools, books, media items, jewelry, clothing and accessories, linens, and more. So far this year, the Bargain Basket has sold over 151,000 items that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. Last year, 370,000 items were sold in total. Proceeds from these items are then given back to the community. 

The Bargain Basket also acts as an in-between for many local missions, providing donations that they need from what they receive. So far this year, the store has given away over $18,000 worth of merchandise to families and organizations. It is also a drop-off location for Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, saving customers another trip but also keeping those items from being tossed, especially as part-time residents head back north.

The Bargain Basket also gives back globally by providing usable items to another recycle/reuse organization out of Sarasota, Florida. These items, including clothing, shoes, housewares, books, purses, medical supplies and linens, may have small imperfections that make them unsaleable, or may even have sat too long on the store shelves, but rather than throwing them away, they are shipped overseas. On average, around 3,500 pounds of usable clothing and items are picked up per month at the Bargain Basket to be resourced globally, again preventing overflow at the local landfill.

Interesting Stat: According to the Fashion Transparency Index report, more than 80% of all clothing produced ends up in landfills to decompose or be incinerated globally. The average U.S. consumer throws away 81.5 pounds of clothes every year. That is an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste that ends up in landfills on a yearly basis. And many items are worn only seven to ten times before being tossed. This is not good news for the environment. By practicing the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, the Bargain Basket is helping our planet stay green! 

On a daily basis, the Bargain Basket practices the 4Rs along with other sustainability measures. Samantha shared that the store is able to use a lot of what is donated for their own supplies and displays without having to purchase new ones. Donated shopping bags and cardboard boxes are all reused. The Bargain Basket is also in the process of converting all of its lighting to LED lighting.

Volunteers are provided reusable cups and are encouraged to use the filtered water line in the refrigerator to stay hydrated. Studies have shown that North American office goers collectively throw away 2.5 million plastic bottles every day!

Call for Summer Volunteers. Be a part of the Bargain Basket and its sustainability efforts and consider becoming a volunteer. A majority of the Bargain Basket volunteers are seasonal, but the store no longer sees slow summer days. If you’re on the Island in the summer and have some spare time, The Bargain Basket is especially in need of cashiers, baggers, floor volunteers, merchandising/display volunteers, jewelry volunteers and donation intake volunteers. Volunteering at the Bargain Basket comes with some great perks and provides an opportunity to connect with new friends while also giving back to the community in so many ways!