Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2013 | Page 43
Antiques are going green
Living as we do in a far more environmentally
aware society, it may be surprising to hear that
both auction rooms and the antiques trade
generally have an important part to play.
We are all familiar with the expression
‘reduce, reuse, recycle’, encouraging us to
reduce the amount of waste disposed into
landfill. The more fashionable phrase now
coming into play, however, is ‘upcycling’; the
renovation, alteration and repurposing of
otherwise redundant items, giving them a new
lease of life and helping them to find a new
home.
Often buyers are unaware of the green
credentials of their purchase, having simply
bought an item at auction because it ticks all
the boxes. However, when you consider the
history of many antique and vintage items
it becomes apparent how environmentally
friendly they really are.
Antiques been recycled for many
generations, meaning any carbon footprint
created in the manufacturing process has long
since expired, and they have been recycled
by handing them down to family members and
friends, or by selling them on.
There is a national campaign entitled
‘Antiques are Green’, to get antiques
recognised for their genuine green credentials
and to promote them as a perfect way to take
the green movement into our homes.
Businesses like Hose Rhodes Dickson
Auction Rooms can perform a valuable
function in extending the lifecycle of unwanted
items, be they antiques, fashionable vintage
items or even many more modern pieces.
Do not think simply because your item is not
a valuable antique there will not be someone
waiting in the wings, for whom your unwanted
item is a prized find. Before you consign
unloved items to a dusty attic, store cupboard
or the tip, consider entering them into an
auction. Hose Rhodes Dickson will advise on
any unwanted pieces, and are keen to promote
buying at auction to those who may not have
considered it. Not only will you be purchasing
an item full of character with a story to tell,
but you will also be playing a vital part in
protecting the future of the planet.
Rex Gully • Auctioneer & Valuer • 01983 402222 • www.hose-rhodes-dickson.co.uk
www.visitislandlife.com
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