Want to Shop More Sustainably? These 6 Tips Will Help.
Buying a used item instead of new helps to reduce the environmental toll of the supply chain from making, storing, and shipping a brand-new item to you.
To help, we have guides to find the best pre-owned camera gear, furniture, air conditioners, laptops, and kitchen gear at a fraction of the original cost. But in general, take advantage of local secondhand stores, rental services, swapping or Buy Nothing networks, yard and stoop sales, and online marketplaces like ThredUp, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. Many big clothing, furniture, and appliance retailers—such as Patagonia, WestElm, and Vitamix—as well as boutique brands are increasingly offering trade-in programs and secondhand marketplaces, so you may want to check on your favorites.
Sometimes, you may not need to buy anything at all: A clean pickle jar might hold leftovers just as well as a set of Tupperware, a simple bucket can double as a DIY foot spa, and your phone can double as a document scanner. Our favorite DIY life hacks might inspire a few of your own.
