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Contribution of Online Trading of Used Goods to Resource Efficiency: An Empirical Study of eBay Users

Author

Listed:
  • Jens Clausen

    (Borderstep Institute for Innovation and Sustainability, Hausmannstr. 9-10, 30159 Hanover, Germany)

  • Birgit Blättel-Mink

    (Department of Social Sciences, Institute for the Analysis of Society and Policy, Goethe-University, Robert-Mayer-Str. 5, 60054 Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

  • Lorenz Erdmann

    (Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment, Schopenhauerstr. 26, D-14129 Berlin, Germany)

  • Christine Henseling

    (Institute for Futures Studies and Technology Assessment, Schopenhauerstr. 26, D-14129 Berlin, Germany)

Abstract

This paper discusses the sustainability impact (contribution to sustainability, reduction of adverse environmental impacts) of online second-hand trading. A survey of eBay users shows that a relationship between the trading of used goods and the protection of natural resources is hardly realized. Secondly, the environmental motivation and the willingness to act in a sustainable manner differ widely between groups of consumers. Given these results from a user perspective, the paper tries to find some objective hints of online second-hand trading’s environmental impact. The greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the energy used for the trading transactions seem to be considerably lower than the emissions due to the (avoided) production of new goods. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations for second-hand trade and consumer policy. Information about the sustainability benefits of purchasing second-hand goods should be included in general consumer information, and arguments for changes in behavior should be targeted to different groups of consumers.

Suggested Citation

  • Jens Clausen & Birgit Blättel-Mink & Lorenz Erdmann & Christine Henseling, 2010. "Contribution of Online Trading of Used Goods to Resource Efficiency: An Empirical Study of eBay Users," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 2(6), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:2:y:2010:i:6:p:1810-1830:d:8760
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tan, Teck Ming & Makkonen, Hannu & Kaur, Puneet & Salo, Jari, 2022. "How do ethical consumers utilize sharing economy platforms as part of their sustainable resale behavior? The role of consumers’ green consumption values," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Razvan-Andrei Corbos & Ovidiu-Iulian Bunea & Monica Triculescu, 2023. "Towards Sustainable Consumption: Consumer Behavior and Market Segmentation in the Second-Hand Clothing Industry," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(S17), pages 1064-1064, November.
    3. Pedro Hinojo & David Suárez & Begoña García-Mariñoso, 2022. "Drivers of Consumer Participation in Online Second-Hand Transactions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, April.
    4. McLaughlin, Christopher & McCauley, Laura Bradley & Prentice, Garry & Verner, Emma-Jayne & Loane, Sharon, 2020. "Gender differences using online auctions within a generation Y sample: An application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    5. Valentina Romagnoli & Joachim Felix Aigner & Thomas Berlinghof & Niki Bey & Jan-Markus Rodger & Cordelia Patz, 2020. "Identification and assessment of opportunities and threats for the Circular Economy arising from E-commerce," JRC Research Reports JRC122233, Joint Research Centre.
    6. Paulo Rita & Ricardo F. Ramos, 2022. "Global Research Trends in Consumer Behavior and Sustainability in E-Commerce: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Knowledge Structure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-20, August.

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