61% of Young Adults Now Choose Second-Hand Over New
A recent survey by Suez Recycling and Recovery UK found that over 26 million UK adults bought second-hand items last year, highlighting a growing trend towards reusing and repairing goods.
Young Consumers Leading the Way
Young adults are at the forefront of this movement, with 61% of 18-34-year-olds purchasing pre-owned or refurbished items, compared to just 35% of those over 55. The survey, conducted by Opinium, also revealed that the rising cost of living has been a key factor, with 30% of adults saying they are more likely to buy second-hand as a result.
Changing Shopping Habits
Nearly 16 million people (29% of adults) have cut back on clothing purchases, while 20% reported buying fewer electrical goods. Looking ahead, almost a quarter (24%) of UK adults plan to buy more second-hand goods in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Concerns Holding Consumers Back
Despite the positive shift, challenges remain. Around 40% of consumers hesitate to buy reused goods due to concerns about quality, while 18% worry about scams.
A Call for Government Action
John Scanlon, CEO of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK, stressed the importance of embracing reuse and repair: “The UK faces a significant waste challenge. If every country consumed at our rate, we would need over two and a half planet Earths to meet demand. It’s encouraging to see more people choosing pre-loved and refurbished items, driven by both financial pressures and environmental awareness.
“However, barriers still exist. Government intervention is crucial to give consumers confidence in second-hand purchases and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.
“The benefits go beyond the environment. This shift supports green jobs, generates income for councils, small businesses, and community organisations, and makes essential goods more affordable.”
The Repair, Re-use, Reform Manifesto
Suez’s “Repair, Re-use, Reform” report proposes key policy changes to support a circular economy, including:
- Reducing VAT on all re-used, refurbished, and repaired goods to 10%, covering spare parts and labour.
- Expanding the Right to Repair to ensure affordable access to repairs.
- Introducing a national accreditation scheme for tested and repaired products to boost consumer confidence.
- Investing in re-use infrastructure, including a £250 million Re-use Development Loan Fund.
The report also highlights that if every UK household reused or repaired just two extra items each year, it would keep 23 million more products in use, generate £1.6 billion for local economies, and create 74,200 skilled jobs.
With the right support, re-use and repair could become the norm, benefiting both the planet and the economy.