Tips for Shopping Secondhand: Make the Planet Better by Reducing Waste

Our planet is drowning in trash today, so going zero-waste is the responsible thing to do for everyone. Changing some of your shopping habits literally can help make the world a better place. One of the changes you should embrace for this purpose is to start shopping secondhand.

Clothes shopping, in particular, is easy to complete this way, so you can create a zero-waste wardrobe with little effort. And today, you can also shop for a variety of other secondhand items, thus gradually reducing the amount of waste generated by your household.

4 Tips for Shopping Secondhand to Reduce Waste

Time your shopping trips right

The first thing you’ll discover when you start secondhand shopping is the crowds. Flea markets and stores that offer this kind of business seem to be always packed. Therefore, if you want to get a chance to actually inspect the goods and try on clothing, you should find a way to shop on weekday mornings. Monday is the best option as it’s the least busy time for shops.

You should also keep the holidays in mind when planning your shopping trips. Thinking ahead is the best strategy, because if you leave shopping for the last days before the event, finding anything of value will be nearly impossible. Therefore, starting your Christmas shopping in July is just the thing.

Expand your horizons with online shopping and trade

The Internet is your main ally in becoming a clever secondhand shopper. It allows you access to everything that can be bought this way. Therefore, the first thing you should do when shopping secondhand online is to research the best platforms.

eBay used to be the default choice for such business, with Craigslist quickly joining the lead. However, today the best deals lie with eBay alternatives, such as TrueGether, Etsy, and, of course, Amazon. Those are the sources where you should start looking for secondhand (also goes by “pre-owned”) goods of any type, from electronics to baby toys to sneakers.

Look at specialized platforms first as it will be easier for you to find exactly what you need there. However, don’t overlook huge marketplaces like Amazon or Craigslist either.

You also shouldn’t forget about the online trade platform options available today. As your goal is zero waste, these would be perfect because you get to exchange something of yours for the items you need. Not only will this be good for the planet but also a major positive development for your budget.

Stay organized

Secondhand shopping can get overwhelming fast because there’s just too much of everything around you. It’s easy to lose your purpose when surrounded by things that catch your eye and distract you from the main goal.

Organization is key to avoid this. Be sure to create a list of the items you need. Preferably, prepare short descriptions of those to enhance the clarity of your purpose when sorting through the dozens of available options.

If you have the time, shop for one thing at a time so you can focus on it completely. This way, the chance of finding the perfect item gets much better.

Prepare for the shopping expedition

If you choose to shop in brick-and-mortar stores, you need to be prepared for the rather trying experience that is secondhand shopping. To get through this day with a smile you need to have a good meal before you set out on the adventure and take a bottle of water with you.

Dress comfortably in clothes that will be easy to remove so you can change fast. Most importantly, wear your most comfortable shoes and have a positive attitude. Never forget to smile and be polite to the sellers, you might be able to haggle with them to cut the prices further. But this will only work if you make a good impression from the start.