It’s time to celebrate a vibrant and essential piece of our community fabric— our op shops! As we mark the inaugural World Op Shop Day this Saturday October 17th 2026, we invite our valued customers and donors alike to dive into the incredible impact of our stores across Australia!

A Journey Through Time: The Origin of Op Shops

The concept of op shops or "opportunity shops," has been around for over a century in Australia. It all started in the 1920s with Lady Millie Tallis in Melbourne, where she envisioned a dignified space for second-hand goods that could support community causes, The Salvation Army’s innovative approach to recycling quickly caught on from our origins in the 1880s, leading to a nationwide movement of op-shops that continues to thrive today. Here in Australia, Salvos Stores now spans over 400+ locations reaching from metro to rural regions across the country.

The Salvation Army’s Legacy of Sustainability

Long before the term "circular economy" became popular, The Salvation Army was already pioneering sustainable practices. Since the late 19th century, we’ve been collecting, sorting, and recycling used goods, clothing and materials. The first Salvation Army recycling depots in Melbourne and Sydney opened in 1883, providing both employment and housing support to those in need, while promoting environmental consciousness locally.

One remarkable example is The Anchorage Hostel in Abbotsford, Victoria, where items were repaired and repurposed into new garments or woven into mats for local businesses. These initiatives laid the foundation for what we now recognise as circular economy thinking—extending the life of goods through reuse, recycling, and repurposing.

Why World Op Shop Day Matters

World Op Shop Day is more than just an annual celebration; it's a call to action! Op shops play a crucial role in reducing waste, supporting those in need, and funding essential community and welfare programs. Every month, Salvos Stores help divert millions of items from landfill, contributing back literal tonnes of textiles, electronics, and home goods into the circular economy.

Be a Changemaker!

By supporting op shops, you’re not only giving items a second life but also championing a sustainable future. Each purchase minimises the demand for fast fashion and fast retail, helping to lower the industry's environmental impact. Your role as a customer, donor, or volunteer is vital to help support the planet, and our mission.

Join us on World Op Shop Day this year

Mark your calendars for Saturday October 17th 2026, and join us in celebrating the power of second-hand. Whether you’re donating, shopping, or volunteering, your involvement helps create positive change. Together, we can continue to support our communities, reduce waste, and build a brighter, more sustainable future.

Celebrate the impact of our stores legacy by visiting your favourite Salvos Stores, and enjoy 20% off all donated goods for one day only!

Get involved, give back, and be part of something bigger this World Op Shop Day, Saturday 17th October.

Salvos Stores eBay Live joins the World Op Shop Day movement featuring donated high fashion

Going live from Wednesday 14th to 15th October, our eBay hub crews will be holding up to 6 live streams showcasing donated pieces of designer and unique fashion apparel and accessories.

Supported by Charitable Reuse Australia, we will bring an online, nationally accessible op-shopping option to World Op Shop day – how handy if you can’t make it into a store!

Find out more by heading to our eBay page here.

For more information on the annual World Op Shop Day event, find out more here: Charitable Reuse Australia.