Recent research by YouGov for Keep Britain Tidy shows that 76% of UK adults agreed as a country, we buy too much stuff, while 30% agreed they personally buy too much stuff.
76% of UK adults agreed as a country, we buy too much stuff
We want to help our society move towards a circular economy; one that wastes less and puts more value on the things that we already have. That’s why in 2023, we delivered the UK’s very first Buy Nothing New Month.
During Buy Nothing New Month we invite members of the public to sign up for fun, handy weekly newsletters sharing top tips on ways to shift our mindset away from buying new, and towards living more sustainably – we’re delighted that in January 2024’s Buy Nothing New Month, 73% of people who took part bought nothing new!
73% of people who took part in January 2024 bought nothing new
We team up with influencers and activists, upcycling aficionados and second-hand style gurus to help spread the word about the campaign too, achieving over six million social media impressions during our first two Buy Nothing New Month campaigns.
From the water and energy used in production, to the fuel used in delivery, every new item we buy comes with an environmental price tag, but as well as protecting the planet, this annual campaign is a great opportunity to save our pennies - 75% of those taking part in January 2024 reused or repurposed stuff they already had instead of buying new, and for the 43% who fixed, repaired, or mended something, it provided an opportunity to learn new skills.
An inspiring 78% of participants told us they were thinking more about the things that they buy, and 77% were planning to carry on reducing waste by donating or giving away the things they no longer want or need.
Why not join them to save your pennies and protect the planet? Sign up for Buy Nothing New Month this January