In the modern world, we’re constantly tempted by the latest product or must-have fashion item, but we now recognise that this never-ending manufacture and consumption of goods is harming our planet.

Many people turn to brands or products labelled as “ethical” or “sustainable”, but even if these are as environmentally friendly as they claim, Buying new still means precious resources are used in production and shipping (often halfway across the globe). We all know this isn’t a perfect solution but are left wondering, what’s the alternative?

Here at Gumtree, we’re passionate about the environmental benefits of buying second hand. A pre-owned purchase uses zero additional resources because the item’s already been made. That’s a big deal when you consider that it takes 2,700 litres of water to make one cotton shirt according to the World Resources Institute. What’s more, the impact of transport is much less – that shirt may only need to travel across the same town rather than across the globe!

Second-hand shopping is getting more popular too – each year around 55% of Brits buy second hand, meaning there’s a vibrant, active community out there on Gumtree to get involved with. That’s good news for planet Earth, but also for you, as it means there’s an even greater wealth of good finds out there waiting for you. If you need more reasons to give it a try, you might want to consider that new stuff is obviously more expensive, so you’ve got the chance to bag an absolute bargain while doing your bit too.

There’s not much you won’t find up for sale on Gumtree all year round, so this is a resolution that you’ll be able to stick with. Of course, there are some categories that are especially popular:

Thanks to ever-changing fashions – and possibly ever-changing minds or fluctuating waistlines – Clothing is a popular category on Gumtree. People might get bored of a jacket, no longer fit into a dress or just want a seasonal wardrobe change. That means there are plenty of clothes to choose from and you may find items that are nearly new. You can even come across high-end, branded goods at a fraction of their retail price. Now that’s what we call a Good Find.

Kids’ clothes and accessories are very common too because of their tendency to outgrow things, sometimes even before they’ve had much chance to wear them. So you can often pick up items that are practically new at a bargain price. Nearly-new clothing isn’t the only thing you’ll find on Gumtree though – we also have a variety of shoes and boots for kids, with everything from pretty ballerina pumps to hip high-tops.

Of course, it’s not just clothing that kids grow out of. They get too old for toys and books too. Their tastes change over time as well, all of which means that things can get very expensive, very quickly. Buying second hand keeps costs down and helps keep plastic (that takes hundreds of years to break down) out of landfills. Children’s books are often in particularly good condition as they generally only get read a few times before being sold on.

If you’re looking to spruce up your space, there’s plenty of furniture available on Gumtree. You might have guessed that you can find a bargain, but did you know that the carbon savings from acquiring a single piece of second-hand furniture are equivalent to one year and four months of daily showers? And if it’s a nursery or kid’s room you’re filling, each large baby or children’s item bought second hand saves the same amount of carbon that it takes to heat a home for 247 days!

Whatever it is you’re looking to purchase, why not give our guide to buying safely a quick read before you get started?

Of course, buying second hand is only half of the story – we’re sure you’ll also have plenty of Good Finds that have outlived their usefulness and are now just taking up space. Whatever you’ve got, the last thing you want to do is chuck it – Oxfam estimates around 13 million items of clothing go into landfill every week in the UK, and textiles can take over 200 years to decompose. Besides, many of the things we throw away still have plenty of life left in them so passing them on to someone else lets them live out their full potential and reduces waste.

Gumtree’s huge community of buyers and sellers makes it easy to find a new home for your unwanted goods. You can declutter your home in an eco-friendly way while making a bit of extra cash – or, if freeing up space is your priority, you can even just give things away. Our article on creating listings for free items will help get you started. Either way, our tips and tricks to sell fast on Gumtree will have you selling in no time.

So now you’ve got some practical ideas to help you stick to your eco-friendly resolutions, why not explore our plan for a waste-less winter this festive season and sign the petition to create new recycling and reuse requirements for local authorities?