Second-hand September is a month dedicated to promoting and challenging people to only buy second-hand goods. It is a great opportunity to rethink our consumer habits whilst reducing waste, supporting reuse and contributing to our local communities.
What does second-hand mean?
Broken down, it quite literally means a ‘second pair of hands’. But what if we consider this through the lens of the Circular Economy?
Perhaps that second pair of hands could become three, four, five and so on.
Resource and material efficiency doesn’t have to stop after one or two useful lives. That’s why embedding the Circular Economy into everyday thinking, pushing waste up the hierarchy and keeping products and materials in further use can reduce carbon, prevent overproduction, and promote more responsible consumption.
What is the purpose of Second-hand September?
Second-hand September highlights the harmful effects of overconsumption on the environment, including the accumulation of goods being sent into waste streams while still in perfectly good condition.
By choosing reuse and second-hand goods, we can extend the useful life of products and materials, reduce demand for new resources and help prevent unnecessary waste.
At Axil, we have a passionate Sustainability team coordinating our reuse and redistribution network, helping to re-home goods that could otherwise be destined for waste streams.
How can reuse create community value?
A recent reuse win created community value through redistribution.
Freezer ice packs in perfect condition were being sent into clinical waste streams.
A reuse opportunity was identified.
Through our network, we were able to divert the ice packs to a local foodbank, supporting its dedicated volunteers during the intense heatwaves this summer.
A reuse route was established, and the ice packs are now segregated and being given a second life.
Small changes can make a big difference.
This September, support reuse and take part in the Second-hand September challenge.
What could you do to promote the Circular Economy?