New to buying used? 5 Benefits of buying secondhand
When it comes to shopping for things like clothes, toys,
furniture and more, oftentimes and unfortunately, the go-to tends to be buying
them new. The convenience of running out to a big-box store and picking up
these items can be tempting. But at what cost? Not only does buying new
typically cost you more money, but the environment is also paying a high price
to produce those new items. If you’re new to buying used and are unsure if it’s
right for you, we break down the benefits of buying secondhand here.
1. Saving money
One of
the most obvious and well-known benefits of buying secondhand is the cost
savings. You can often find secondhand goods up to 50% cheaper than you could
if you were buying new. When you consider that Americans spend over a trillion dollars annually on
nonessential goods, those savings can add up.
Whether you’re shopping for clothes, furniture, musical
instruments, or most anything, you’ll be able to find quality items at lower
prices than if you bought them brand new. You can also find name brand
clothing, shoes, purses, and more for a fraction of the cost. Who doesn’t want
to get designer items at a discount? As an added bonus, by spending less, your
dollar goes further.
2. Helping the environment and preserving natural resources
When you
think about the resources that go into creating new products, it isn’t just the
labor and materials. Energy and natural resources go into creating the
packaging that typically accompanies the new product. Each product that is
manufactured is responsible for some level of depletion of natural resources.
Whether that’s excavating oil, mining metals, clearcutting forests, farming
cotton, or pumping water. For instance, did you know it takes 1,800 gallons of water on average to make
a pair of jeans?
Not only
does buying used reduce the number of natural resources being used, it also
reduces the amount of energy used and pollution that’s being emitted. Things
like pesticides, burning fuel in the trucks that haul the items, toxic
chemicals and carbon emissions. For example, when it comes to textiles and
clothing, about 50% of energy input to the textile industry is lost
onsite. And manufacturing new furniture generates 100 times more greenhouse gases as
refinishing does.
Buying secondhand goods means that the energy and natural
resources that went into creating those goods have already been used. So,
you’re not creating a demand for new items that require additional energy or
deplete even more natural resources.
Last but
certainly not least, when you buy used you’re giving those items a second life
and saving them from being thrown out. Too often people think of waste
reduction and recycling in terms of bottles, cans, and plastics when the
reality is our wardrobes and other household items
are big contributors to what ends up in the trash.
3. No packaging
Have you ever bought something new, only to get it home and
try to open it but there’s so much plastic to try and cut through? Or perhaps
you ordered something new online and between the cardboard and packing peanuts
it’s hard to find the actual item you purchased? New products typically have
some sort of packaging associated with them and not all of that material is
recyclable.
A benefit of buying secondhand goods is that you don’t have
any of that waste or mess. The items you buy used won’t come with all of
the unnecessary packaging that typically just gets thrown away or takes a
crowbar to open. You can start enjoying your new-to-you items, packaging-free.
4. Supporting local businesses
Whether you’re buying from a thrift store, consignment
shop, vintage store, your neighbor who posted secondhand goods on social media,
or a pop-up market down the street, the dollars you spend stay in the
neighborhood and aren’t off to the nearest big-box store’s headquarters.
In fact, thrift stores are often a fundraising extension of
a non-profit. So not only can you feel good about saving money and the
environment, depending on where you shop, you’ll also be supporting local
causes.
But buying used isn’t just about supporting your budget,
non-profits and the planet, you’re also supporting local businesses and helping
your local economy. The mom-and-pop shops likely want, need and appreciate your
business more. Not to mention, they’re likely using the dollars you spend and
investing them back into their store or supporting other businesses in the
area.
5. Finding unique items
Now that you know the big benefits of buying secondhand,
it’s time for the really fun part! Half of the fun of thrift shopping, browsing
consignment shops, or venturing into a vintage store is the thrill of the hunt.
Whether you’re searching for a new outfit to wear for date night, a fun piece
of furniture for your house, your next must-read book or games for your kids,
you’ll find unique, sometimes hard-to-find items.
When you
buy new, you’re typically choosing from mass-produced items that you and your
neighbors might all have. Why be like everyone else? Beyond the obvious
benefits of buying used, you get the added bonus of owning items that you won’t
find just anywhere. Imagine scoring a great armchair that’s perfect for reading
all of your used books in, but maybe the fabric isn’t
your favorite or could use a little facelift. By reupholstering secondhand
furniture finds, or making DIY projects out of the used goods you
buy, you’re creating pieces that are one-of-a-kind.
Related
Reading: The 10 Best Things to Buy Used
Now that you know the benefits of buying secondhand goods,
we hope you’ll consider it the next time you’re out shopping. And don’t forget,
it goes beyond just your local thrift shop. There are a lot of different ways
to buy used, including consignment, pop-up markets, online sale sites, flea
markets, vintage stores, and more. You’ll want to find one that matches your
preferred shopping style and habits.
You can
use our Choose to Reuse Shopping Tool for
suggestions
Remember,
if you’re new to buying used, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start small
and work your way up. We know there are some items you’ll continue to buy new,
and that’s okay. Every item you buy used is a step in the right direction and
before you know it, you’ll be living a zero-waste lifestyle… or just a regular
lifestyle that prioritizes reuse, either one is great!
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