Everyone has $1200 worth of unused stuff

Every New Zealander is hoarding about

$1200 worth of unused stuff, according to a Trade Me survey.

Trade Me surveyed more than 4000 people and found everyone had about 15 used and unwanted things, and it says the country’s ‘‘secondhand economy’’ is growing.

It estimates there are approximately

73 million secondhand items left in people’s garages, spare rooms and cupboards around the country that are no longer used, but are still usable.

Zero Waste Network spokesman Marty Hoffart said donating old stuff to charity stores created local jobs and stopped valuable items going straight to the landfill.

Donating unwanted things was also a boost for local communities.

‘‘If people are donating that stuff to a secondhand shop, the money doesn’t go to an international corporation, it goes to the local community.’’

The survey found 51 per cent sold the last item they offloaded, and 42 per cent gave it away or donated it to charity.

Selling unwanted stuff around the house could benefit the environment and earn some money on the side, Trade Me head of marketplace Lisa Stewart said.

‘‘We expected more Kiwis would be selling their secondhand things for environmental reasons, but just 5 per cent told us that this was their motivation for offloading preloved items.’’

People also appeared to be buying more items secondhand than before, with 76 per cent having bought a used item in the last six months.