Living a responsible lifestyle is so difficult and even those with the best intentions struggle to know how to be more eco-friendly. There are so many different things to consider and making big lifestyle changes can be very daunting. 

Pixabay CCO License

If you want to be more eco-friendly, check out this list of simple changes you can make today. Shopping second hand is one of the best suggestions on this list because manufacturing is a huge contributor to climate change. If we can simply buy less new stuff, that will have a huge impact. There are certain items that have a much bigger impact than others, and it’s those items that you should focus your attention on when buying second hand. These are the best second hand purchases to make if you want to reduce your impact on the environment. 

Cars (Sometimes) 

We’ll start with a big one. The car manufacturing process uses a lot of energy and if you want to be more eco-friendly and save yourself a lot of money at the same time, you should consider buying second hand. There are still great Vauxhall Hire Purchase Financing Options on second hand models, so you can pay for the car in monthly installments and own it at the end of the payment term. By opting for a second hand car, you reduce the number of new vehicles needed and help to cut carbon emissions. However, it is very important that you also consider the carbon emissions of the car that you buy. 

Old cars are not very eco-friendly at all, so if you buy something that gives off a lot of emissions, you may counteract the carbon savings made from buying second hand. However, a car that is only three or four years old will still be very efficient, so you don’t need to worry. 

Clothes 

A lot of people don’t realise the impact that clothes have on the environment. Some clothes are made from entirely natural materials and they are biodegradable. However, many clothes are made with things like polyester, so they contribute to plastic waste. If you want to be better to the environment, you should pay attention to what your clothes are made from. But it’s even better if you just buy second hand instead. That way, you can cut back on the carbon emissions from the manufacturing process too. You can easily find some great quality clothes on eBay for next to nothing. 

Furniture 

Furniture is one of the best things to buy second hand because there is so much stuff out there and it’s usually better than anything you buy new. Why spend lots of money on chipboard furniture with a plastic veneer when you can get beautiful solid wood furniture for half the price? There are plenty of antique shops or charity shops that sell old furniture, and you can get some really nice pieces. Some of it may need a bit of a makeover, but it won’t cost that much to sand it down and give it a new coat of varnish. 

If you really want to make a difference, consider making these second hand purchases to reduce your impact on the environment.