Millions turning to second hand shopping to help save planet
SHOPPING for refurbished or second hand items is the savvier choice, new research shows.
Millions of Brits are choosing this consumer lifestyle to try and live a more sustainable existence.
A study involving 2,000 adults found a third of adults are happy to pick up used items such as clothing, homeware and gadgets to help the planet.
And six in 10 went say it’s more important for them than ever to shop green where possible.
Around 50 per cent are worried about “fast fashion” when they buy outfits and accessories.
While two thirds consider the environmental and social impact caused by the manufacture of everyday household items - such as clothes, white goods and gadgets.
But 55 per cent think there’s still a stigma over buying anything secondhand or refurbished.
A spokesperson for giffgaff said: “With refurbished items in particular, you are getting something very close to being new - but cheaper, and an item which rather than being discarded or sat in a drawer can be used.”
Despite the stigma, the study also found three quarters think shopping for secondhand or refurbished items is more acceptable now than ever before.
Four in 10 think older items tend to be better made, while half like the uniqueness of second hand items and half believe they are just as good as new.
While seven in 10 go second hand to save money, a fifth simply prefer the shopping experience itself.
Almost 25 per cent have spruced up discarded items to give them a new lease of life.
And 57 per cent have utilised web communities where members give and collect items for free from other members where they live.
The most popular refurbished items to buy
We found out the most popular refurbished items to buy
- Books (74 per cent)
- Collectables (62 per cent)
- Cars (60 per cent)
- Furniture (58 per cent)
- Artwork (56 per cent)
- DVDs or Blu-rays (53 per cent)
- Mobile phones (30 per cent)
- Shoes (19 per cent)
The spokesperson for giffgaff added: “While people are becoming more savvy with their purchases, it is clear that, when it comes to phones, there is still some work to do.
"That’s why our increased focus on offering a great refurbished choice alongside our range of new handsets is the right one."
Charity shops are the most popular haunt for finding second hand items, along with auction sites (44 per cent) and online stores (34 per cent).
And of those who do shop in this way, an average of £42 a month will be spent – more than £500 a year.
The study, commissioned via OnePoll, also found 44 per cent feel under pressure to overspend at this time of year due to Black Friday and Christmas.
But 73 per cent think the materialism of Black Friday and Christmas is likely to be bad for the environment.
A spokesperson for giffgaff added: "As ever, the pressure to spend at this time of year is very much there.
“And this Black Friday, we are opening our pop up where nothing is for sale.
"To get your hands on one of 100 items on the day, you’ll have to pay with a public pledge to choose refurbished wherever possible for the rest of the year.
"As this pop up and research shows, shopping for refurbished or second hand items is the savvier choice.”
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