Oslo, 5 June 2020 - Millions of people across the globe use online marketplaces to buy and sell second-hand goods every day, contributing to the circular economy and benefiting the environment. In 2019, 25.3 million tonnes of CO2e and 1.3 million tonnes of plastic were potentially saved by people who traded used items through 12 digital marketplaces operated by Adevinta and Schibsted, according to the Second Hand Effect 2019 report, published today to coincide with the World Environmental Day.
The report, compiled in cooperation with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, looks at how much CO2e and materials have potentially been saved through second-hand trade on participating marketplaces. The calculations are based on the idea that keeping a second-hand item in use means avoiding the production of a new item and disposal of the old item, which translates to savings in CO2e and amount of plastic, aluminum and steel.
Second Hand Effect results for 2019 Carbon dioxide emissions: 25.3 million tonnes potentially saved
As an example, 25.3 million tonnes of CO2e is equivalent to the yearly emissions of approximately 2.8 million Europeans. Or, it’s equal to the emission generated by the energy used if 361,000 people streamed online TV shows continuously for one year.
Plastic, aluminum and steel savings
The report also calculates how much new plastic, steel and aluminum did not need to be produced as a result of this second-hand trade. The potential savings were:
- 1.5 million tonnes of plastic, which is equivalent to 25.6 billion two litre plastic bottles
- 9.5 million tonnes of steel, enough to build 1,247 Eiffel Towers
- 0.9 million tonnes of aluminum, the same amount used for 29 billion smartphones
Rolv Erik Ryssdal, CEO, comments: “Together with our users, we have an opportunity to make a positive change in the world and build a sustainable future. Sustainability is the cornerstone of our business strategy, and through our services we empower people to make sustainable choices. Whenever a second-hand trade replaces the production of a new item, we are on the front line of the war against waste.”
“With our marketplaces around the world, we empower consumers to act in more environmentally-friendly ways. Through the Second Hand Effect we want to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of reusing items and minimizing waste, in addition to visualizing our users' contribution to the circular economy,” says CEO in Schibsted Kristin Skogen Lund.
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Notes to the Editors
What is the Second Hand Effect?
The Second Hand Effect calculates the potential savings in greenhouse gas emissions and the use of material that can be associated with second-hand trade goods. This project was started by Schibsted in 2015, and has since expanded to more marketplaces in cooperation with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. The twelve sites participating in the Second Hand Effect are helping to identify the environmental benefits of second-hand trade.
Methodology
We developed the method for calculating the Second-Hand Effect in close collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute. In order to calculate the potential savings of CO2e, plastic, steel and aluminium, we analysed 2019 ad data and customer surveys. We also took into account the energy consumed by our 12 participating marketplaces through business travel and the operation of our offices or postponed.
Our calculations rely on two assumptions:
- Every time someone buys a used item, they don’t need to buy the corresponding new product, so the material and emissions associated with new production are avoided.
- Since second-hand items are reused rather than thrown away, the emissions associated with disposal of used items are avoided.
This means that if you buy a previously used dining table on one of our marketplaces, there is no need to produce a new table or dispose of the original one.
Media contact
Mélodie Laroche
Corporate Communications
T: +33 (0) 6 84 30 52 76
melodie.laroche@adevinta.com
About Adevinta
Adevinta is a global online classifieds company with generalist, real estate, cars, jobs and other internet marketplaces in 16 countries, connecting buyers seeking goods or services with a large base of sellers. Its portfolio spans 36 digital products and websites, attracting 1.5 billion average monthly visits. Leading brands include top-ranked leboncoin in France, InfoJobs and Milanuncios in Spain, and 50% of fast-growing OLX Brazil. Adevinta was spun off from Schibsted ASA and publicly listed as an independent company in Oslo, Norway in 2019. The Adevinta is majority owned by Schibsted ASA. About Adevinta.
About Schibsted Schibsted is a family of digital consumer brands with a strong Nordic position and more than 5,000 employees (excluding Adevinta). We have world-class news brands, leading marketplaces, and smart digital services. We also help new promising businesses to realize their potential. Schibsted is on a mission to empower people in their daily life, using tech and data to create innovative products and great user experiences – and to help build a sustainable future. About Schibsted.
About IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, is an independent non-profit organization owned by a foundation established by the Swedish state and industry. IVL conducts research and provides business services related to all types of environmental questions. They have extensive experience from performing life-cycle assessments and environmental analyses with a range of industries. About IVL.