Op shops bursting after tidying trend

EVERYBODY in Hobart seems to be tidying up with Marie Kondo, as second-hand retailers around the city are flooded with all the clothes which no longer “spark joy”.

The Netflix sensation Tidying Up with Marie Kondo has set off a summer de-clutter like no other, along with the growing trend of minimisation.

Collectables manager at the South Hobart Tip Shop Jason Richards said there has been at least a 25 per cent increase in the amount of stuff being deposited to the shop, especially clothing.

“Generally this time of year we get a lot of coats but we’re getting everything. We’re getting great dresses, great suits, a lot of jeans, T-shirts, everything you could possibly need,” Mr Richards said.

And as people aren’t only getting rid of what has worn out, Mr Richards said the clothes are worth a lot more than they’re now being sold for. “It’s not just the stuff that people don’t want anymore, but stuff that still has a lot of wear in it, stuff that’s good quality, things you’d want to buy and keep.”

Other opportunity shops are feeling the effects of Marie Kondo, and the wider trend of minimising and decluttering, with area retail manager of Tasmanian Red Cross stores Kristina Hedin saying that although there’s always an increase in donations around this time of year, the past few months has seen a noticeable increase.

Ms Hedin said Marie Kondo is one of many who are getting people to consume less, saying the ABC’s War on Waste also sparked the movement.

“I think it’s really good that people are doing these things,” she said.

But the tip shop’s Mr Richards said there was a flip side to Marie Kondo’s philosophy.

“People are watching Marie Kondo and then getting really excited to go out and buy lots more plastic boxes to sort everything,” he said.

“At a certain point these boxes are going to fall apart and they’re going to end up back in the waste stream.

“So it great, but it also has a darker side.”