A new national survey has revealed that the UK’s love for second-hand shopping continues to grow, with a record 84% of British adults now buying pre-loved items — up from 75% in 2022. More than half (55%) of adults said they purchase something second-hand at least once every six months.
Saving Money and the Planet
It’s no surprise that value tops the list of reasons why so many people are turning to reuse. Almost three-quarters (72%) of respondents said buying second-hand is more cost-effective than buying new. But for younger generations, sustainability is playing an increasingly important role — 46% of Gen Z respondents cited protecting the environment as their main motivation for choosing pre-loved goods, compared with 32% of over-55s.
Supporting Reuse in Local Communities
The survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of FCC Environment, also highlighted that 87% of adults donate items to charity or reuse shops. However, there’s still room to grow — 58% of people said they would be more likely to donate if their local recycling centre had a reuse shop.
At reuse centres across the UK, thousands of items are being given a second life each year. FCC Environment alone operates reuse shops at 13 recycling sites, helping divert over 2,800 tonnes of goods from landfill annually.
Fixing Instead of Throwing Away
Encouragingly, 45% of people said they’d like to learn how to repair items rather than discard them — with electricals (60%), furniture (48%), and garden tools (35%) topping the list of things people most want to fix.
Building a Circular Economy Together
As Toby Goodwin, FCC Environment’s Reuse Development Manager, explains:
“Reuse shops play a huge role in the local communities that FCC Environment serves. It is vital that unwanted goods and items are conserved for reuse by others to ensure we reduce our waste consumption across the UK and build a stronger, circular economy.”
At The Reuse Initiative CIC, we couldn’t agree more. Every item that’s reused, repaired, or repurposed helps reduce waste, support families on low incomes, and protect our environment.
Together, we’re helping to build a sustainable future — one pre-loved item at a time.