Second-Hand Trade Is Great for the Environment

According to the most recent study elaborated by Adevinta and Schibsted, called Second Hand Effect 2020 Report, 20.7 million tons of CO2 emissions annually are potentially saved through its 10 digital marketplaces. 

Every day, millions of people around the world buy and sell used items on Adevinta’s marketplaces, thereby choosing to live more sustainably by employing circular consumption. This efficient way of consuming products is based on the repair, reuse, sharing and recycling of materials and goods.

The 2020 report indicates that when a person buys and sells used items on our platforms, the decision impacts the environmental situation because less consumption of new goods means less production, which results in less negative impact and leaves a positive environmental impact on climate change, biodiversity, resource scarcity and ecosystems.

According to The Second Hand Effect Report 2020, using our marketplaces saved:

· 20.7 million tons of CO2 emissions

· 1.2 million tons of plastic 

. 7.8 million tons of steel 

· 0.7 million tons of aluminum 

With a wide range of categories, from consumer goods to cars and real estate, the Segundamano marketplace helps sellers get paid fairly and helps buyers save money by finding quality products at convenient prices in the Aztec country.

Segundamano Mexico alone achieved important savings in 2020:

· 50,552 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to 78,000 return flights between Mexico City Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport

· 3,126 tons of plastic, equivalent to 440 million plastic bags

· 20.423 tons of steel, equivalent to 130 million cans

· 1,976 tons of aluminum, equivalent to 240km of railroad

These figures represent our strong commitment to building a more sustainable society and empowering people to make more sustainable choices. In addition, we believe we can play an important role in Latin American society. Our marketplace empowers people to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives. 

“By offering online platforms where our users can easily buy and sell second-hand items, we reduce the need for newly-produced goods and promote more sustainable consumption. This is what we call the Second-Hand Effect. We want to encourage people to make second-hand their first choice, providing lasting positive impacts in the circular economy,” says Rolv Erik Ryssdal, CEO of Adevinta.

Segundamano is furthering its positive environmental impact with the acquisition of eBay Classifieds Group, making us the world’s leading online classifieds pure player with unprecedented scale. As Rissdal says: “We will benefit from leading positions in 16 countries, covering 1 billion people, which will give us the platform to make real environmental change.”

The Second Hand Effect project is aimed at raising environmental awareness, adds Kristin Skogen Lund, CEO of Schibsted. “With the Second Hand Effect project, we want to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of reusing items and minimizing waste and visualize our users' contribution to the circular economy. With our marketplaces around the world, we empower consumers to act in more environmentally friendly ways.”

Methodology for Calculating the Second Hand Effect

We developed the method for calculating the Second Hand Effect in close collaboration with IVL, the Swedish Environmental Research Institute. To calculate the potential savings of CO2 emissions, plastic, steel and aluminum, we analyzed 2020 ad data and customer surveys. We also took into account the energy consumed by our 10 participating marketplaces through business travel and the operation of our offices. 

Our calculations rely on two assumptions:

- Every time someone buys a used item, they don’t need to buy the corresponding new product, so the material and emissions associated with new production are avoided.

- Since second-hand items are reused rather than thrown away, the emissions associated with disposal of used items are avoided.

This means that if you buy a previously used dining table on one of our marketplaces, there is no need to produce a new table or dispose of the original one.

Our methodology can be read in full in the Second Hand Effect report, available at  Adevinta.com/Sustainability.

About Adevinta

Adevinta is a global online classifieds specialist, operating digital marketplaces in 11 countries. The company provides technology-based services to connect buyers with sellers and to facilitate transactions, from job offers to real estate, cars, consumer goods and more. Adevinta’s portfolio spans more than 30 digital products and websites, attracting 1.3 billion average monthly visits. Find out more at Adevinta.com.

About Schibsted

Schibsted is a family of digital consumer brands with a strong Nordic position and more than 5,000 employees (excluding Adevinta). We have world-class news brands, leading marketplaces, and smart digital services. We also help new promising businesses to realize their potential. Schibsted is on a mission to empower people in their daily life, using tech and data to create innovative products and great user experiences – and to help build a sustainable future. Learn more about Schibsted.