Good Growth

For over 30 years, eBay has empowered millions of consumers and businesses to give products a second life, driving the transition to a circular economy and reducing waste. This model is even more important given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis as it helps households manage financial pressures by lowering the upfront cost of everyday goods, and enables individuals to unlock value from used items.

We are driving recommerce through our programmes and initiatives. For example:

eBay has removed selling fees for private sellers across almost all categories, incentivising participation in the circular economy.
Through our Authenticity Guarantee programme, independent experts physically verify high-value pre-owned items - such as watches and sneakers - to give consumers the confidence to choose pre-loved items.
eBay scales the next generation of circular infrastructure, including by hosting an annual global incubator programme that provides capital and mentorship to pioneering sustainable businesses. Past UK winners include SOJO, a leading clothing repair and alterations platform

Key Figures

Recommerce - the buying and selling of pre-loved or second-hand goods - for 40% of eBay’s gross merchandise value.
Globally in 2025, recommerce on eBay generated $5.3 billion in positive economic impact, up $300 million since last year. These sales helped avoid 1.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions and divert more than 71,000 metric tons of waste from landfills (the equivalent of 27 Olympic pools) all the while driving value for our buyers and sellers.
Over a third of UK consumers now regularly purchase pre-loved tech, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.
92% of UK respondents plan to maintain or increase their spending on pre-loved items.
79% of UK consumers cite saving money as a key motivation for buying second-hand items. 47% identify sustainability and environmental benefits.

Policy Recommendations

We champion progressive policies that scale the circular economy to protect the planet, while helping households to stretch their budgets or generate income streams. The policies we advocate for include:

Tax frameworks that reward circular business models, such as supporting "margin schemes" to ensure second-hand goods are not taxed twice.
Stronger national Right to Repair frameworks that guarantee consumers and professional independent repairers have affordable access to the original parts, diagnostics, and tools needed to repair essential electronics like mobile phones and laptops and prevent them going to landfill.
Accessible digital product passports that can be used to help consumers resell products seamlessly, and improve product traceability from creation to end-of-life.

Case study: Ojewellery, Warrington
Lindsay began her career as a mechanical design engineer, passionate about sustainability and second-hand treasures. As a single mum seeking a way to support her disabled child on her own terms, she turned to eBay as a way to generate additional income, initially selling household items before discovering jewellery bundles that sparked a new business opportunity. What started as a small, flexible side hustle gradually evolved into a thriving online business built around creativity, reuse, and craftsmanship, giving her both financial independence and the freedom she needed as a parent.
More than two decades after starting her eBay journey, Lindsay Hayman is now the founder of Ojewellery, a successful British jewellery brand creating sustainable pieces from recycled precious metals and genuine gemstones that has made over £1million in sales. Today, Lindsay remains deeply involved in the seller community; she co-hosts and organises local Manchester eBay Meetups, mentors other entrepreneurs, and helps new sellers grow their businesses through shared experience and support. A passionate advocate for using AI tools to work smarter, not harder, her experience offers both inspiration and practical insight into how women are reshaping their careers through digital entrepreneurship.