New Report Highlights Singapore’s Role in Promoting Circular Economy Through Pre-Owned Furniture Purchases
In a significant contribution to Singapore’s circular economy, local residents are embracing second-hand furniture, a trend that has helped reduce carbon emissions by a remarkable 21,970 tonnes. This figure, highlighted in the “Year-in-Secondhand” report by Carousell, is equivalent to the carbon emissions saved by not streaming Netflix for nearly 70,000 years.
The report underscores Singapore’s leadership in Southeast Asia when it comes to second-hand transactions, with the resale market for furniture growing at an impressive rate. Among the key findings, Carousell reported a notable surge in searches for furniture, particularly chairs, which climbed 52 positions to become the second most searched item, overtaking even the popular iPhone. Interest in free items also surged, with sofas and IKEA tables among the most sought-after, contributing to the giveaway of over 300,000 items in the last year.
March was a particularly busy month for furniture transactions, which saw a noticeable spike alongside the resale of event tickets. Carousell speculates this increase in activity may be linked to major concert events from artists such as Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars, as people likely sold or swapped furniture to make room for new purchases or experiences. By September, even a local favourite, Labubu, overtook Taylor Swift in search rankings, highlighting the growing demand for second-hand goods.
In addition to Furniture & Home Living, categories such as Women’s Fashion and Hobbies & Toys also saw a surge in second-hand listings. The report further revealed that Singaporeans earned an average of S$2,000 per listing, the highest earnings in Southeast Asia for the platform.
Peak transaction times occurred around 6 pm, with most new listings posted at 2 pm. Interestingly, 10 pm was the most active hour for inquiries and searches, suggesting that Singaporeans are increasingly turning to second-hand options as a sustainable way to furnish their homes and support the environment.
