Car boot sales

The great British car boot sale. It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about recycling. But consider how the huge volume of items that are bought and sold at the average boot sale would otherwise end up in landfill. And then consider that over 30 car boot sales take place every week in London alone.

That network of thriving boot sales across London offers something for everyone. To the seller, it’s the chance to earn some decent cash for a fun day’s work (average takings at a London car boot pitch? £100). To the buyer, there are bargains galore to be had. To the curious passer by, a local car boot sale is a slice of London life to enjoy in the fresh air - and to the recycling-savvy Londoner, it’s a real working example of how household items can find a new lease of live rather than being chucked in the bin.

Battersea boot sale is one such example. Held every Sunday at Battersea Technology College, it costs just 50p entry (or the extra keen can can pay a few quid premium to get in half an hour early!).  And with a start time of 1.30pm you don’t have to be up at the crack of dawn to enjoy it.

On the recent Sunday that Recycle for London visited, there was a healthy mix of families, dealers and collectors, house movers, fashion students and local residents out to enjoy the sun. It was a particularly good day for record collectors with some fabulous rare vinyl on offer, prices starting at £1.

To find your nearest car boot sale, visit www.carbootjunction.com

Tips for sellers

• Take a good table. Wallpapering tables are perfect. Some car boot sales (such as Battersea) will rent you one for a small fee.
• Find a good spot. The best way to do so is to get to the boot sale in plenty of time to set up.
• Give your items a good clean before you set off.
• Have prices in mind for your items. Be realistic, though – the essence of the car boot sale is cheap and cheerful pricing.
• Arrive with plenty of change and a secure pot to keep your money in.

Tips for buyers

• Get there early for the best items. That said, you can often get your best deals in the last hour of the day when sellers want to shift what’s left.
• Trust your instinct. If you like it, buy it – chances are it won’t be there by the time you go round again!