Online Resale Boom: Second-Hand Shopping's Environmental Impact
The online resale market is booming. More platforms are offering live-stream shopping and AI-powered search for second-hand items. eBay's 'Endless Runway' shows feature second-hand designer pieces, making up 40% of eBay's fashion sales. Online marketplaces ThredUp and The RealReal have reported record sales this year.
However, the environmental impact of online resale is complex. While it reduces textile waste, it also adds emissions from servers and shipping, similar to new purchases. Experts caution that overconsumption still fuels waste, despite the sustainability benefits of second-hand shopping.
Live-auction apps like Whatnot provide additional platforms for bidding on used clothing, further expanding the online resale market. eBay, for instance, aims to make second-hand shopping as good as shopping in the primary stock market today.
The growing online resale market, driven by platforms like eBay, ThredUp, and The RealReal, offers consumers more options for second-hand shopping. Yet, it's crucial to consider the environmental impact and avoid overconsumption to fully harness the sustainability benefits of this trend.
