[ES] E-commerce & second-hand: a trend that is here to stay

There is one thing that cannot be denied: e-commerce is all the rage. But it is not the only one. In recent months, sales in so-called second-hand e-commerce have also increased. Dozens of well-known brands are already betting on this trend and we are sure that it will not be a passing fad.

This is how second-hand e-commerce has grown

“There is no planet B”. Surely this is not the first time, nor will it be the last time you hear this phrase. Environmental awareness is here to stay for brands and society. According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, 93% of European companies consider the circular economy to be important for the growth of their business. In this sense, giving products a second useful life has become fundamental to protect the planet.

This is precisely what the success of second-hand e-commerce platforms is based on. In the last quarter of 2020, transactions in second-hand shops exceeded 36 million euros, according to a report by Statista. However, the trend will almost double by 2023 when this sector will reach $51 billion.

The rise of these platforms is due in particular to the fact that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the need to take care of the environment. In fact, 72% of them prefer to buy from companies that are environmentally responsible. A study by Resale points out that buying, for example, a piece of used clothing would reduce their carbon footprint by 82%.

Tips for giving your e-commerce an EcoResponsible image

It’s time to keep helping the planet. One way to do this is by selling sustainable products, but you can also be EcoResponsible through your packaging. Here are some tips for your e-commerce to give a more sustainable image.

1. Choose sustainable means of transport

In e-commerce, logistics is everything, especially when you have a second-hand e-commerce and your customers expect the company to also be committed to the planet. One way to achieve this is to opt for an EcoResponsible freight transport with environmentally conscious courier companies. Some delivery solutions can be:

• Choosing companies with fleets of electric vehicles.
• Or with bicycle couriers, ideal for last mile delivery.
• Depositing parcels at pick-up points
• Or in self-service lockers such as Amazon Hub locker or Citypaq from the Post Office

2. Opt for EcoResponsible packaging

Packaging is the first contact between the end customer and e-commerce, so choosing sustainable and environmentally friendly materials is the best option. In the RAJA® EcoResponsible products section you will find a wide range of products for your second-hand e-commerce with which you can put into practice the 5-R’s for more environmentally friendly packaging. When you want to be EcoResponsible, you should opt for e-commerce packaging that is recyclable to a high degree.

Apply the 5Rs method to get it right when choosing EcoResponsible packaging for your second-hand shop.

REDUCE the weight-volume of your shipments, because who says less volume, says less space in delivery vehicles, says less CO2 released into the atmosphere. You can choose boxes with variable height, or packagingwith integrated cushioning, which reduce the vacuum in your packaging as well as the use of raw materials.

REUSE your packaging as much as possible. In e-commerce, the packaging your customers use to return your products to you consumes raw materials that you can easily eliminate. The key is to choose return packaging that is specifically designed to facilitate customer returns while protecting your products.

REPLACE packaging made from less Eco-Responsible materials with alternatives that have less impact on the planet. The choice here is wide: kraft paper tape instead of plastic, bubblewrap instead of bubble wrap, kraft paper baginstead of the traditional plastic bag…

RENEW, i.e. choose packaging made from renewable natural materials (also called bio-based packaging), made from corn starch, sugar cane or cellulose, to limit the use of materials that do not renew themselves naturally in nature.

RECYCLE helps your customers to make the best use of their packaging by choosing recyclable packaging. To respect this pillar of the 5Rs, there is nothing better than using cardboard for your packaging.

3- Clearly show your EcoResponsible commitments

Last but not least: highlight all your EcoResponsible commitments. Your customers must immediately see that your business is resolutely oriented towards ecology and sustainable development. So make sure you make these commitments visible on your website, on your social networks, but also on your packaging, where the logos and the corresponding acronyms must appear.

You can also opt for customised packaging, which will aim to improve your customers’ experience during unboxing.

And now you are ready to launch your second-hand e-commerce website!