SUMMARY: Second hand shopping is a growing activity in modern societies. New internet applications and websites facilitate the selling and buying of second hand goods. Although these actions facilitate the concept of circular economy, the re-use of second hand products does not always have the same implications on the environment. As a general rule, it appears that the purchasing of second hand goods whose environmental impact is attributable primarily to the extraction of raw materials and their fabrication stage (clothes, furniture, etc.) should be an environmentally sound action. However, the purchasing of goods whose environmental impact is primarily related to their operation stage (e.g. washing machine, car, etc.) could not be such a good idea from a sustainability standpoint.

Another aspect worth investigating relates to the geographical location where this transaction takes place, as transport and shipping activities may generate large impacts. 

Rebound and consequential effects may also appear as a result of the lower costs associated with these shopping action.