In Sweden, when talking about sustainability, we refer to three key and most-used words: environmental, economical, and socially sustainable. Waste sorting and natural resource usage in Sweden are important components in sustainable development. In this article I will share the other side of Sweden’s sustainable development—”second hand” culture in Sweden. And I will also share main secondhand stores in Norröping, a city where one of LiU campuses is located.

Over-consumption is a status quo in many countries, and it is also unavoidable in Sweden, a highly developed country. In order to improve side-effects of over-consumption and maintain the sustainability norms, Sweden make secondhand stores or flea markets play significant roles. In almost every big-sized or middle-sized city in Sweden, there are diverse kinds of secondhand stores or flea markets. Residents donate or sell objects that they do not use any more to secondhand stores, and then customers can buy their favorite objects with very low prices. This process largely reduces negative impacts of over-consumption on environment. Charitable organizations will donates profits on welfare issues. In Sweden, shopping in secondhand stores or flea markets does not mean that you the poor. From a Swedish prospective, secondhand stores represents one kind of communication, and also a valuable reflection of “making the best use of everything”.

Various products in those pictures, including electric appliance, clothing, shoes, books, toys, cutlery, furniture, and even snacks and plants.

These secondhand stores in Norrköping I introduce in this article also have their chain stores in some other cities. I will also write some other secondhand stores which are not in Norrköping but famous in Sweden. Secondhand online shops will also be included. Secondhand stores are places that help student save money.

1.Myrorna

Website: myrorna.se

Address: Gamla Rådstugugatan 18, 602 24 Norrköping

The history of Myrona can be traced back to 19 century, and now it is 120 years of history. Today there are 9 Myrona chain-stores, and most of them are in the middle and southern areas of Sweden. This secondhand store is famous of it clothing, but it also sells other multiple things. They donate profits to a Swedish organization Frälsningsarméns, helping to provide services and activities to different groups of residents. This brand announces that their aim is also to promote sustainable changes of the society, and make more Swedes involved in the use of secondhand objects. It also offers jobs to specific groups of people, such as the disabled.

2.Ge För Livet

Website: geforlivet.se

Address: Finspångsvägen 27, 602 13 Norrköping

The other name of this secondhand store is Bra & Begagnat, and it is my favorite secondhand store in Norrköping. The store donates profits to help specific people all over the world. For example, they support children education, protect children right, train youngsters’ ability of leadership and so on. Nowadays, Ge För Livet has established 51 projects in more than 30 countries. They believe that “Varje krona gör stor skillnad (Every penny makes a big difference)”. In Ge För Livet in Norrköping, you will see volunteers in different ages. Plus, there is a cafe in the store.

3.Erikshjälpen Second Hand

Website: erikshjalpen.se

Address: Järngatan 23, 602 23 Norrköping

Erikshjälpen is a children-right organization, and its secondhand store is one of its project. Erikshjälpen helps specific groups of children get rid of poor life and weak social position, in order to realize the basic children right, especially in aspects of children education, entertainment, health, security, and protection. As bearing its norms of “HOPE” and “SUSTAINABILITY”, Erikshjälpen secondhand stores aim at encouraging people to improve the better living environment through reusing secondhand products. The profits are used to support the development of Erikshjälpen children right organization.

4.Hjälpverksamheten Återvinningen Second Hand

Website: atervinningen.se

Address: Kabelvägen 2, 602 13 Norrköping

This secondhand brand has its stores both in Norrköping and Linköping. Its first store was established in Motala in 1992. Hjälpverksamheten Återvinningen Second Hand focuses on social work and humanity help. The profits are not only used for specific groups of individuals, but also for some companies. Helping individuals here means supporting some people who have health problems.

In addition to these secondhand stores introduced above, there are also many other brands which worth your exploration. It is worthwhile to mention Röd Korset Second Hand (Red cross secondhand), which is a familiar secondhand brand in Sweden. There are more than 250 secondhand stores with this brand. If you are interested in it, please visit www.rodakorset.se/vad-vi-gor/second-hand

About secondhand online shops, I recommend two here: Bloket, and Tradera. Also, every city in Sweden has its secondhand Facebook groups, and you can use key words such as loppis, or köp och sälj to search them.

 

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