Before you click “add to cart” on your next shopping splurge, take a look at what someone else is ready to part with. Shopping secondhand can help reduce waste and save the planet. Plus, you may save money and discover rare items. Of course, some things like makeup and underwear are better bought new, but many everyday items are worth finding pre-loved. Here are 10 things to check out secondhand before you buy new.

1. Clothes and Everyday Accessories

Your wardrobe is a great place to put shopping secondhand into practice. The fashion industry is responsible for roughly 10% of carbon emissions worldwide, so choosing preowned clothes reduces demand for new textile production.

Browse thrift stores and resale platforms for jeans, jackets, handbags, belts and scarves. Chances are, you’ll find plenty of clothes still in tip-top condition. If you’re lucky, you might even find some rare and limited edition pieces, too. Thrifting keeps wearable clothing out of the landfill longer and often helps you save money.

2. Books

There’s something thrilling about finding a book that has already made its way through someone else’s hands. Secondhand bookstores, library sales and local marketplaces can lead you to pre-loved novels, cookbooks, travel guides, children’s books and hobby titles. You might even come across an older cover or a first edition that adds character to your collection.

WordsRated’s 2023 data found that 32 million trees are cut down each year in the U.S. to make paper for books. Picking up a used copy gives you a new read while reducing the need for fresh paper and the resources behind it.

3. Musical Instruments

Getting into music can come with a hefty price tag. You can expect to spend over $1,000 on a brand-new electric guitar, and other instruments can be similarly costly. Secondhand shopping for an instrument can make experimenting with a new hobby easier on your budget. It’s a greener choice, too, since keeping an existing instrument in use means fewer resources are needed to produce a new one.

You can find used instruments in secondhand music stores, pawn shops or marketplaces. Make sure to play the instrument and inspect it for cracks, missing pieces, damaged controls or signs of poor storage before buying.

4. Tools and Gardening Equipment

A well-built tool can stay useful through countless repairs, DIY projects and gardening seasons, so it’s not always necessary to buy new ones. Shopping for secondhand tools can help keep a perfectly usable item out of the trash.

The trick is to research reliable brands and models before you shop, then check for rust, loose parts, damaged handles and worn blades. For power tools, inspect the cords, batteries and moving components carefully. Doing so ensures you bring home something with plenty of useful life left.

5. Furniture

Shopping for secondhand furniture is having a moment, as more people look for sustainable ways to furnish their homes. The global market is expected to reach $56.66 billion by 2030, growing at 7.7% annually.

Buying secondhand furniture is a great way to contribute to the planet, since you usually get years of use from a sturdy piece. A good rule of thumb is to look for solid tables, bookshelves, dressers and chairs, then check joints, drawers and upholstery before buying.

6. Toys and Games

A secondhand board game, puzzle or building set can bring the same entertainment to your home and keep a perfectly usable item in circulation. It can be especially rewarding to find an older game or a set that has been out of production for years. You can look through your local thrift stores, community sales and online marketplaces for these little treasures. Passing them along again when you’ve finished with them keeps the cycle going.

7. Electronics

Electronic waste is piling up quickly. The world produced 62 million tonnes of electronic waste in 2022, and its growth is happening five times faster than documented recycling. Extending the life of existing devices through secondhand shopping can help tackle that problem.

Research on used smartphones found that each secondhand transaction extended a phone's use by 40% and displaced 0.40 new devices. Additionally, this circular consumption resulted in a 34% lower annual carbon footprint for average smartphone users. That means that a used phone, laptop, camera or game console is a better option for the planet.

8. Sports Equipment

Trying a new sport is a good excuse to go shopping, but you don’t need a brand-new collection of gear. Secondhand equipment gives you a chance to try cycling, tennis, golf and strength training or other activities using items that already have a history of use. Buying pre-loved sports gear is great when you’re testing out a hobby and aren’t sure how long you’ll stick with it.

9. Kitchenware

You can easily fill your kitchen with secondhand glassware, plates, serving dishes, mixing bowls and sturdy utensils instead of shopping for new ones. Many of these items are designed to last, which means you can easily find ones that are still in good condition. As a bonus, getting vintage kitchenware can bring lots of character to your table.

A little more care is important for cookware, though. Damaged nonstick pans can shed thousands to millions of particles, such as microplastics and nanoplastics. For this reason, pristine cookware is the safer secondhand find.

10. Party Supplies

Party decorations typically have a remarkably short working life. A banner or table decoration might come out for a few hours, then spend the rest of its existence sitting in storage or in a landfill. Shopping secondhand gives items like serving stands, costumes, banners and decorative props more opportunities for use.

Secondhand, First Choice

The next time you need something, give yourself a reason to browse secondhand shops before you buy. You could find exactly what you need and give a preowned item another chance to be loved.

10 Things You Don't Have to Buy New: Saving the Planet Through Secondhand Shopping