Mercari 2021
Reuse Report

John Lagerling

Mercari US CEO

We all have things we don’t use, never used, or simply outgrew. In fact, American households have 23.6 billion unused items stored in garages, closets, storage units, and the like. Spanning everything from vintage collectibles to household goods, electronics to baby gear, these unused items are entering the circular economy as more consumers sell things they no longer need.

A core tenet at Mercari is the idea of “reimagining reuse.” We believe that unused items still have value and that it’s a win-win for everyone if these items can find a new life with someone else. Reuse goes beyond the resale of items and speaks to how consumers can reduce waste and extend the life of unused items by exchanging, donating, gifting, and DIY.

Last year, Americans spent $140 billion on secondhand goods. By 2030, we expect that will increase by 154% to $354 billion. Over the years, recycling and buying organic was more of a niche behavior, but it has now become a way of life. We feel the same way about “reuse.”

In our first-ever Reuse Report, we’ve uncovered the sheer size and scale of the reuse ecosystem beyond apparel and across household categories. We’ve explored the resale market’s expected growth trends over the next 10 years, and the motivations driving the ever-growing community of people participating in buying and selling secondhand.

Our research also examines the state of unused items to understand how households across America dispose of them, what prompts people to sell, and what motivates people to participate in the circular economy.

We’ve reached a turning point where reuse is becoming a conventional way of life, rather than the exception. More people than ever are getting involved in the secondhand economy — Gen Z of course, but also men, Baby Boomers and more.

We hope you will join us in embracing reuse as a lifestyle that’s not only good for your wallet, but also good for the world.