Running a sustainable business
Discover how you can become a more sustainable seller by reducing your environmental footprint.
Create a sustainable future
Climate change is a concern that impacts everyone and poses significant challenges to our environment. Our activities release emissions into the atmosphere, which in turn warm our planet and drive climate change.
You can stand out from your competition by acting responsibly towards the environment and embracing circular economy principles. The circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimising waste and making the most of resources by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products.
By selling with this in mind, you can reduce the impact your business has on the planet. This can lead to lower carbon footprint, create economic added value such as cost savings through energy efficiency, allow you to tap into new environmentally conscious target groups, and strengthen your brand image.
What buyers think
Consumer demand for sustainable products and practices is on the rise. Today’s buyers are passionate about sustainability and want to buy from businesses that share their values.
63% of global consumers surveyed say sustainability is important to them when making purchasing day-to-day decisions.
68% of eBay buyers say sustainability is becoming more important to them every year.
Over 70% of consumers surveyed globally planned to spend on recommerce/pre-loved goods in 2024.
Source: 2024 Recommerce Report
eBay is a pioneer in the circular economy
eBay makes it easy to create and run an environmentally sustainable business, no matter what you’re selling—after all, supporting the circular economy through reselling and repurposing is how we got started. The first sale on our marketplace was a pre-owned laser pointer, purchased by someone who wanted to fix and give it a second life. Since then, 79% of global sellers surveyed said they got their start on eBay by selling pre-loved goods.
Through recommerce, we extend the lifespan of products, diverting them from landfills, and empowering customers to make sustainable choices. We’re also continually investing in fueling the circular economy, for example through our eBay Refurbished Programme, which helps reduce the need for environmentally costly new manufacturing. We’ve also partnered with Love Island over the last few years to encourage people to buy pre-loved clothing. Since the summer 2024 season, searches for ‘pre-loved fashion’ increased by over 400% on eBay. Alongside other initiatives, we work with community organisations and nonprofits that support and uplift local communities around the globe.
By leveraging our platform and incorporating sustainability into your business, you can play an essential role in the transition to a circular economy.
Source: 2024 Recommerce Report, eBay Inc stories
Terms you should know
The release of carbon, particularly as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere through various activities. Lowering emissions is a key step in minimising environmental impact.
Where to start
You can tackle climate change by taking 3 essential steps: calculating, setting goals, and reducing emissions.
The first thing to do is check your business’s carbon footprint to see the emissions your business is producing. Organisations like Carbon Trust make it easy for you to do this through their Carbon Footprint Calculator.
Next, you can start considering ways to minimise your impact and build upon the things your business is already doing to be sustainable. For example, you can go paperless by using electronic invoices, or if you’re a Shop subscriber, you can create a newsletter to streamline your communication to buyers. These are easy ways to help reduce your carbon footprint.
It’s also important to take regulations into consideration, particularly if you sell internationally. For example, when selling to buyers in Germany, businesses have to comply with the 2019 Packaging Act and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations. We’ll keep you informed about new regulations that may affect your business.
Ways to make your business more sustainable
Continue your sustainability journey
Take a course on Carbon Academy to help you apply steps for accelerating your sustainability journey.
Learn how to create great listings so you can start showcasing your pre-owned inventory.