Refurbishment wave boosts Europe’s second-hand market • Recycling International

The European second-hand market is seeing spectacular growth, with its value projected to nearly triple from EUR 32 billion today to EUR 86 billion by 2028. The growth is fuelled by shifting consumer preferences for sustainable alternatives to new products and the rise of refurbishment services, according to experts.

The implementation of new EU right-to-repair legislation is seen as a critical driver of this transformation. The directive, requiring all member states to promote repair and refurbishment by 2026, strengthens the circular economy by encouraging longer product lifecycles and less waste.

‘Refurbishing does not merely maintain products, it transforms and improves them,’ says Aurimas Slapšys, co-founder of Sort A Brick, a company specialising in restoring used Lego sets. By cleaning, sorting, and assembling pre-owned bricks, Sort A Brick has demonstrated the value of refurbishment.

BEYOND TOYS

This trend is not limited to toys. Refurbishment services are flourishing across categories such as electronics and clothing. Platforms like Tingit, which offers clothing repair and resale services, illustrate how recommerce is evolving to cater to consumers who prioritise both quality and sustainability.

IKEA BUSINESS CASE

However, challenges remain. Consumer concerns about the safety and quality of second-hand products persist. Slapšys notes that businesses can overcome these barriers by emphasising quality assurance processes. For example, IKEA’s recent foray into second-hand furniture markets in Spain and Norway, coupled with care and repair services, demonstrates how established brands can reinforce customer confidence in this sector.