SECOND HAND FURNITURE: GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR THE WALLET


People are starting to understand that everything we do has an impact on the planet, which is why many of us are starting to truly live our lives cognisant of the “three Rs” of protecting and preserving the environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

While it’s easy to become overwhelmed, it’s also possible to make a positive impact by simply changing a few small habits one at a time. “One of the things we can look at is our purchasing decisions, especially when it comes to new furniture,” explains says Richard Mukheibir, Managing Director of Cash Converters. “The manufacturing of new furniture has a considerable carbon impact, especially when you consider that packaging, storage and shipping form part of the lifecycle of new furniture. There’s a long supply chain that we have no influence over, but we can reduce our carbon footprint by adjusting our buying habits.”
Selling old furniture or buying “pre-loved” furniture keeps it out of the landfill. It’s also one less item that has to be manufactured from scratch, thereby saving raw materials, reducing your carbon footprint and lowering CO2 emissions.

“We can see by the quality of stock that comes into our shops, and how quickly it moves, that our society is slowly becoming less of a disposable society,” says Mukheibir. “People are more responsible when it comes to disposing of items they no longer need by selling them to furniture resellers.”

Many people change their home décor every few years in order to keep up with the latest trends, or their requirements change as their lifestyle changes – and the furniture is often still in excellent condition. “Nearly new or ‘previously loved’ furniture loses value in the resale market, which is a major plus for those who are looking to purchase second hand goods. Many pieces are still in excellent condition and can be purchased at a bargain price. Additionally, when you buy pre-loved furniture, you can often buy much better quality than you would be able to if you were buying brand new. Your purchasing power is extended.”
Mukheibir cautions that when you purchase previously owned goods, make you’re getting a good quality item and there is some form of guarantee.

Besides furniture, any good second hand store will also stock a host of functional and practical items like DIY tools, Flat screen TV’s, kitchen utensils, DVDs, mobile phones, etc. “We are also nearly in Spring which is a great time to recycle and rethink one’s decor. It’s also a time when most second hand dealers are enthusiastically looking for stock in time for Christmas so a general win-win situation for all.”
“Whatever it is you buy, a second-hand purchase is the best choice for the environment, and it puts the power of change directly in your hands,” concludes Mukheibir.


Below are a few tips from Cash Converters on buying previously owned furniture:

  • Try it out, take a seat, open drawers, lean on tables… make sure the piece is in satisfactory shape.
  • Let the creative juices flow. A lick of paint or new upholstery can breathe new life into any item of furniture. 
  • Ignore the minor faults. Sometimes a little DIY can turn an ok-item into a wow-item. It’s easy to sand down a few scratches or simply replace a cushion.
  • Pay attention to the type of wood used. Hardwood furniture, such as oak, is durable and is a good material for items you expect to last a long time. Softwood furniture like pine is more suited to furniture you don’t expect to have over a long period of time.
  • Know your dimensions and have a good idea of the amount of space you have before purchasing a large item.
  • Browse regularly, especially if you’re looking for something in particular. Pre-owned stores get new stock all the time, particularly during the change of season or around Christmas.

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