A third buy second-hand to save the planet (and cash)

ONE in three of us is turning to secondhand and refurbished items to help save the planet, lifting the stigma over used goods at the same time.

Six in ten believe it is more important ‘than ever’ to shop green wherever possible, happily snapping up preloved pieces such as clothing, homeware and gadgets.

Around half are also worried about ‘fast fashion’ and take this into account when they buy their outfits. Similarly, two-thirds consider the environmental and social impact caused by the manufacture of everyday household items such as clothes, white goods and tech.

And while 55 per cent of consumers think there’s still a stigma attached to buying second hand, many feel doing so is more acceptable than ever before and 40 per cent believe older items are better made and can be unique. However, 70 per cent of those who regularly purchase pre-loved products did so to save money, rather than Planet Earth.

A spokesperson for giffgaff, which conducted the survey ahead of its Black Friday Pop-Up Shop, 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.’ The most popular second-hand or refurbished items to buy include books (74 per cent), collectables (62 per cent) and cars (60 per cent) and furniture (58 per cent).

Also in the top 20 were pieces of artwork (56 per cent) DVDs or Blu-rays (53 per cent) bicycles (45 per cent) and clothing (38 per cent).

However, mobile phones (30 per cent) and shoes (19 per cent) are among the items people are least likely to buy second hand.