48% of adults in the UK purchased a second-hand item in the last year, according to Suez’s “Repair, Reuse, Reform – How to Accelerate Progress to a Circular Economy” report.
The report found that Gen Z and millennials are leading the trend of buying second-hand, with those under 35 almost twice as likely to buy re-used goods than those over 55.
A re-use manifesto published today by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) has revealed research into consumer habits and called on the UK Government to activate a seven-point plan to reduce avoidable waste.
The research undertaken for the re-use manifesto suggests that the cost-of-living crisis may already be driving a surge in pre-loved purchasing.
The poll, conducted for SUEZ by Opinium in January this year, revealed that 30% of UK adults said they were more likely to buy second-hand as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
It showed that almost 16 million shoppers (29% of adults) have reined in their spending on clothes, with 20% buying fewer electrical goods.
Government action is needed to level the playing field and give consumers the confidence to buy re-used or repaired goods…
24% of adults also said they are more likely to buy re-used or second-hand items this year than in 2024.
When questioned about their motivations for buying re-used items, 42% of respondents cited better value for money, followed by environmental concerns (29%) and support for small businesses and charities (27%).
However, affordability is a key concern, with one in four shoppers (26%) citing financial pressures as a key reason.
The report also highlighted the barriers that prevent people from buying second-hand with 40% of consumers hesitant to buy re-used goods due to concerns over quality, while 18% worry about being scammed.
Commenting on the research, John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “The UK has a massive waste challenge – if all nations consumed at the same rate as us, we would need over two and half planets to sustain our demands. So, it is hugely positive to see the surging popularity of re-use and repair.
“However, the repair and re-use movement still faces major impediments and disincentives. Government action is needed to level the playing field and give consumers the confidence to buy re-used or repaired goods, which would help turbocharge the shift towards a more circular economy.”
In its re-use manifesto, Suez said the UK Government should activate these seven steps to stimulate re-use and repair:
- Cut the cost: Reduce VAT on all reused, refurbished and repaired goods, including spare parts and labour.
- Harness skills: Implement the ideals of the former Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group, to bring more people into the sector.
- Build consumer confidence: Establish a nationwide accreditation scheme for tested and repaired products.
- Enable local leadership: Give the public sector a clear objective to prioritise re-use.
- Keep products in use for longer: Increase minimum warranty periods for electrical and household items.
- Make repairs accessible: Extend Right to Repair legislation.
- Invest to grow: Create a £250 million Re-use Development Loan Fund.
According to “Repair, Reuse, Reform – How to Accelerate Progress to a Circular Economy”, UK households and businesses throw away two million tonnes of electrical appliances every year and discard 70 million different household items worth more than £2 billion.
The re-use manifesto also says that if every UK household re-used or repaired two extra items a year, it would keep 23 million more items in use, generating £1.6 billion for local economies and creating 74,200 skilled jobs.
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