Today Adevinta and Schibsted launched the fourth annual Second Hand Effect report, an international study on the environmental benefits of second-hand trading and the circular economy.
Users of Adevinta and Schibsted marketplace sites potentially saved the planet from the production of 1.1 million tons of plastics in 2018. This is the same amount of plastic that the EU uses on plastic bags in 1.5 years!
“At Adevinta we believe every object can have a second, third or fourth life, and we want to make a positive change in the world by giving everything new purpose. Our marketplaces make it easy for people to contribute to a greener environment by reusing and buying second-hand,” said Adevinta CEO Rolv Erik Ryssdal.
The Second Hand Effect calculates the effect of reuse converted into potential savings in plastics, aluminium, steel and greenhouse gas emissions as a result of private trading.
The report shows that in 2018, 20.5 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were potentially saved. This is equivalent to the emissions from all of a large airline’s flights in 2018, plus the emissions from all road traffic in Norway for one year, plus the emissions from 300,000 Europeans.
“Through the Second Hand Effect we want to show the combined environmental effects all our users make by buying and selling second-hand, and to visualise our contribution to the circular consumption worldwide,” said Britt Nilsen, Head of Sustainability at Schibsted.
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, look at what our users have achieved together. Circular consumption has been a part of Schibsted for many years, and now Adevinta’s marketplaces will continue making a positive impact on the environment. It really makes a difference.”
Since 2015, Schibsted has measured the effect of reuse on the environment. This year, measurements were based on 10 Schibsted and Adevinta marketplaces around the world and the report includes savings of plastics, steel and aluminium in addition to greenhouse gas emissions.
“We have high ambitions when it comes to sustainability. This is vital if we are to reach our informed and eco-conscious users. Our Second Hand Effect project demonstrates our commitment as a participant of the UN Global Compact and how we contribute towards Sustainable Development Goal 12 by encouraging people to reduce, repair, reuse and recycle,” said Kristin Skogen Lund, CEO of Schibsted.
The Second Hand Effect includes
Adevinta Marketplaces:
Leboncoin in France
Subito in Italy
Jófogás in Hungary
OLX in Brazil
Avito in Morocco
Segundamano in Mexico
Milanuncios in Spain
Schibsted Marketplaces:
Blocket in Sweden
Finn in Norway
Tori in Finland
Read more at https://secondhandeffect.schibsted.com/
About the calculations
The Second Hand Effect calculations were carried out by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, which analyzed the items sold on the websites by composition of materials and by their respective environmental impacts. The calculation is based on the assumption that each second-hand transaction would result in a similar, new item not being produced and disposed.
About IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute
IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute is an independent, non-profit environmental research institute owned by a foundation established by the Swedish state and industry. Since 1966 the institute has been developing new solutions to environmental problems at both national and international level.
