Most Eco-Friendly things to buy secondhand

Secondhand buying is a fantastic ethical measure people have adopted to save them money while doing their bit for the environment. In fact, millions of Brits bought secondhand gifts for Christmas last year in a bid to be more eco-friendly considering the current climate crisis.

What are the benefits of buying secondhand?

There are numerous advantages to buying items secondhand, both for yourself and the planet.

Saving Money

One of the biggest reasons people buy second hand is the cost savings. Pre-owned buying enables people to find the items they are after at up to half the price compared to buying them new, and doing so regularly can add up and save you a lot of money.

Preserving natural resources.

From labour to materials, so many natural resources go into producing and manufacturing new products. Buying used reduces the number of natural resources and energy used. This means not you are not creating a need for new items that require additional energy, further depleting the world's resources.

Reduce packaging

If you've ever bought something online and been shocked at the size of the box, only to open it up and find your tiny item tucked in the corner, you're not alone. There is a massive amount of unnecessary waste and packaging that just ends up getting thrown away. A benefit to buying secondhand products is that often they come to you packaging-free so you can enjoy your item happily, knowing you are supporting the climate.

What are the most eco-friendly things you can buy second hand with that in mind?

Sustainable Fashion

Fashion is one of the most polluting industries globally, making up 10% of humanity's carbon emissions. As a result, one of the most eco-friendly things you can buy second hand is clothing.

While initially many people saw previously owned clothing as old and dirty, with the recent introduction of app-based marketplaces such as Depop and Farfetch, buying secondhand clothes online has seen a surge in popularity. It is now far more accessible to browse and search for the apparel items you want with these specific niche platforms. The appeal of thrifting has made fashion more inclusive, more diverse and less wasteful. It is a great movement benefitting people's wallets and the planet.

Furniture

Similarly to the fashion industry, buying secondhand furniture is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. Due to most furnishings being made from or with some form of wood, the furniture industry is a leading cause of deforestation, a significant reason for climate change.

There are plenty of places to buy or even get secondhand furniture for free. eBay is an excellent option, although Facebook marketplace has also become a go-to option for secondhand furniture.

Many people disregard aged furniture that may be considered vintage or damaged. Still, it has become more common for people to repurpose old furniture. Secondhand is the perfect way of achieving your interior design goals for a fraction of the price while doing your bit for the environment.

Musical Instruments

Many complex musical instruments have components that are difficult to dispose of in an environmentally friendly way. Buying one secondhand lessens the environmental impacts of instrument disposal.

Not to mention the price of a brand new instrument can be pretty high and a barrier to entry for a new hobby. Slashing the cost by buying a used one from somebody is an excellent way of more affordably getting started whilst contributing to climate change reduction.

Sustainable Transportation

Riding a bicycle is not only a great way to stay fit but also one of the most sustainable transportation methods. You can further the positive impact of using a bike by purchasing a used one.

New bicycles require a vast amount of energy and resources to produce and distribute that have consequences to our planet. Buying second hand will vastly reduce your expenditure whilst ensuring a bike has a long life, removing the demand for new ones to be produced in such high quantity.

Technology

With new phone and computer models being released every year, it's impossible to keep up without breaking the bank. Buying secondhand tech is a great way to reduce waste generated by the fast upgrade cycle for new products.

For people concerned about the effects age may have on their pre-owned tech's performance, refurbished items that have been serviced and restored to working order are another great secondhand alternative to buying new tech.