The environment is the main driver for second-hand shopping

Consumers buy second-hand goods primarily for the sake of the environment, followed by the economy. This is the result of a study conducted by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute in cooperation with several second-hand shops and reuse operators.

“It is positive that the environment ranks so highly among second-hand shoppers. Many also responded that they would like to shop more second-hand, but factors such as price, supply and availability prevent them from doing so”, says Annelise de Jong, consumption researcher and project manager at IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

Another strong driver for second-hand shopping is the opportunity to find trendy designer clothes and unique products. Buying second-hand clothes and shoes is more common than furniture, fittings, and home electronics. Consumers do not want to buy mainly underwear, socks, shoes, and swimwear for hygiene reasons.

According to the study, the extent to which second-hand products replace the purchase of new products varies.

“Most respondents said that second-hand products had replaced a new purchase, which is positive. However, there is also a risk that people will increase their overall consumption of things, believing they are environmentally friendly. We need to reduce our overall consumption, and choosing a second-hand item over a new one is a good choice in the right direction”, says Maja Dahlbom, an expert in textiles and recycling at IVL.

In recent years, the number of online marketplaces for selling and buying second-hand items has increased, and many shops are experimenting with collecting and selling their brands in second-hand condition or collaborating with second-hand shops. It has also become common for recycling centres to set up reuse partnerships, such as neighbourhood recycling centres and shops where you can give and take things for free.

“Many reuse initiatives are underway, but more players and choices are needed to make it easier for consumers to shop second-hand. That's why it's so important to look at the drivers and barriers to see what it will take for reuse to become the norm and, in the long term, as easy as buying new is today”, says Annelise de Jong.

The study is part of the UseReuse project. It has been conducted in shops that sell second-hand items, both in Stockholm and Gothenburg, shops in Stockholm that sell new items together with second-hand items, spare parts or rent them out, and municipal waste companies in Stockholm and Mölndal. The study was conducted using a questionnaire and an interview. From the questionnaire study, 438 responses were received, and from the interview study, 361 responses were received.

For further information, please contact:
Annelise de Jong, annelise.dejong@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 69 36
Maja Dahlbom, maja.dahlbom@ivl.se, tel. 010-788 65 83