Eco-Swapping and Shopping on the Web

By
Jenn Savedge
Writer
  • University of Strathclyde
  • Ithaca College
Jenn Savedge is an environmental author and lecturer. She’s a former national park ranger who has written three books on eco-friendly living
our editorial process
Jenn Savedge
Updated January 28, 2020
There are good deals online if you know where to look. (Photo: Sari Montag [CC BY SA-2.0]/Flickr)

If your kids are anything like mine, they burn through clothes, toys and gear faster than you can say "spaghetti stains." So it makes sense to look for gently used stuff as often as possible. The good news is that buying secondhand clothes and gear is not only good for your wallet, it's great for the planet, too. Here are some great sites for eco-shopping and swapping on the Web:

Auctions

These sites let you find gently used toys, clothes, bedding, books, furniture and anything else you might need for your family.

Secondhand sales

These online classifieds let you buy gently used duds and other stuff directly from their owners, without the hassle of an auction.

Free stuff

You know what they say ... one parent's junk is another parent's treasure. To prove that point, these sites offer listings for free stuff that's no longer useful to their owners, but might be just what you're looking for.

Swapping

Got some extra stuff you'd like to trade rather than sell? Try one of these online swapping sites: