Black Friday – It’s not a bargain if you don’t really need it.

November 21, 2024

Black Friday. It's not a bargain if you don't really need it

When faced with a bargain, only 1 person in 4 considers the environmental impact of their purchases (source), but while shoppers chase deals our environment is paying a hefty price. 

This year you can help to make Black Friday a little bit greener by asking yourself a few simple questions before you hit the checkout: 

Do you really need to buy anything? 

 An image of a wardrobe that is full of clothes neatly hanging on a rail. Text over the image reads "Black Friday - You already look great".

Household waste in the UK can increase by up to 25% in the period between Black Friday and the New Year. This suggests that a lot of Black Friday purchases aren’t absolutely necessary. 

  • Have you checked what you’ve already got to avoid duplication? 
  • Could you reuse or repair an existing item before you replace it? 
  • Could you rent, hire or borrow this item instead? 

If you don’t really need to buy something new, don’t. Save the cash and do the planet a favour too. 

 

If you really need to buy something, does it have to be new? 

  • Are pre-loved or refurbished alternatives available? 
  • Could you upgrade, update, modify or repurpose something you already own or which is pre-loved instead of buying new? 

Reused and pre-loved items are often significantly cheaper than buying the same item new. Unlike newly manufactured goods, preloved items do not require the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, or long-distance transportation. By reusing items, you’re also preventing them from going to waste for a bit longer, further reducing their environmental impact.  

 

Can you reduce the chance of having to return your purchases? 

An image of a bed and an area of floor around the bed is covered in untidy piles of excess clothing. Text over the image reads "Black Friday, buyers regret?

  • Can you “try it before you buy it” in a physical shop, at a friend’s house or elsewhere?  
  • Have you researched customer reviews to make sure your expectations of the item are realistic, to reduce the chance of experiencing buyer’s regret and a return? 
  • Have you checked to see if you are happy with the retailer’s returns policy? 

1 in 3 consumers go on to return some of their Black Friday purchases within 30 days. Each return represents the release of avoidable greenhouse gas emissions from extra transportation, as well as the waste of the packaging, and often the returned product too as many items (for example clothing and shoes) are not subsequently re-sold. 

 

Is the item you want to buy likely to last a long time?

  • Is it good quality, durable and easy to maintain? 
  • Is it repairable? 
  • Is it likely to become obsolete or fall out of fashion quickly? 
  • Is it made by a reputable company with a strong focus on sustainability? 
  • Is the item recyclable at the end of its life? 
  • Is the packaging the item comes in recyclable? 

Items that have a lower environmental impact by design, which last a long time, can be repaired, and those which can be recycled when they eventually reach the end of their useful lives result in much less waste, and often represent better value than alternative items with a shorter useable life. 

 

Can you combine delivery?

An image of a cardboard box on a doorstep. Text over the image reads "Black Friday - Expecting a delivery? Please recycle the packaging".

  • Can you combine deliveries to reduce emissions from transportation and the amount of packaging materials needed? 
  • Can you re-use the packaging for another purpose before recycling or disposing of it? 

Reusing a cardboard box just once before recycling it helps to reduce the need to produce new boxes, saving trees, carbon, energy, and water 

 

If you are replacing an item; what are you going to do with the old one?

  • Can you recycle it? 
  • Does it contain a battery, and do you know how to safely dispose of these items? If not, follow the advice on our batteries page. 

Your unwanted item could still be of use or value to someone else, could be recycled, or may need to be disposed of in a certain way. It’s worth checking your options before binning your items. 

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled. You’ll find a list of recycling points at: https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/  

A washing machine on a pavement with angel wings. Text on the image reads, "Replaced a still functioning item? Your old one could help someone else." A washing machine on the street outside a house with other rubbish. Text on the image reads " Wont fit in the Car? Contact your local council to arrange a bulky collection".

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