General Marketplaces: Pioneering circular economy solutions in consumer goods

Our General Marketplaces promote sustainability by extending the lifecycle of used goods, thus reducing waste and lowering the demand for new resources. Driven by growing consumer demand, evolving business opportunities, and new legislative requirements, the traditional linear economy is shifting. Circular products and services are becoming more relevant, offering both environmental and economic benefits. By facilitating the trade of second-hand and refurbished items, our platforms enable consumers to save costs while allowing sellers to generate income. Over the past 25 years, Ricardo has facilitated the exchange of more than 110 million objects, thereby contributing to a lower environmental footprint, based on estimations that assume these items would have otherwise been discarded and replaced with new products. In doing so, our marketplaces play an active role in driving the transition to a low-carbon economy and encouraging large-scale adoption of sustainable consumption habits.

The circular approach strengthens SMG, benefits the environment, and aligns with the values of partners who appreciate our impactful business model. The ratio between used and new items sold on Ricardo has remained stable at 70/30 (used/new) in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024 alone, over 4 million second-hand items were sold through the platform, accounting for 76% of Ricardo’s total product revenue. This high volume of second-hand transactions translates into a measurable climate impact. Across all General Marketplace platforms, the total net avoided emissions in 2024 amounted to 71,438 tonnes of CO₂. This figure reflects the net climate benefit of re-commerce, capturing the difference between emissions avoided when second-hand purchases replace the need for new products, and the emissions generated by deliveries, packaging, and platform operations that enable those transactions.

For further details on the methodology, please refer to the Methodology for net avoided emissions section.

Our circular economy solutions in action

A prime example of our commitment to promoting a circular economy is the Secondhand Day, an annual nationwide event in Switzerland that encourages consumers to rethink their purchasing habits and opt for second-hand goods. Initiated by Ricardo in 2020 in collaboration with Circular Economy Switzerland and myclimate, the event has grown into a vibrant platform for sustainable shopping. By facilitating and promoting Secondhand Day, we not only raise awareness about the importance of the circular economy but also provide tangible opportunities for consumers to participate in responsible consumption.

This initiative supports our mission to make second-hand the preferred choice, thereby advancing the circular economy, reducing waste, and promoting conscious purchasing habits.

To further support our users and scale the impact of circularity, we continuously invest in enhancing convenience, based on user feedback, to ensure seamless experiences. In 2024, we introduced Ricardo AI, leveraging artificial intelligence to simplify both the buying and selling processes on our platform Ricardo. For buyers, Ricardo AI allows users to upload or capture photos of desired items, such as clothing or accessories, and swiftly identifies identical or similar products available. This feature streamlines the search process, making it more intuitive and efficient while encouraging the purchase of second-hand items by making them more accessible. For sellers, Ricardo AI analyses uploaded images of items intended for sale, suggests market-appropriate pricing, and generates optimised titles and descriptions for listings. This automation reduces the effort required to create effective listings, lowering the barriers for individuals to resell items.

By facilitating easier listing and discovery of second-hand items, Ricardo AI actively contributes to extending product lifecycles and reducing waste, key components of a circular economy.

Ricardo POP UP: Bringing sustainable fashion to life

Ricardo contributes to the sustainable fashion movement with its annual pop-up stand at one of the biggest Swiss annual music festivals, Zürich Openair. In 2024, the third year since the founding of Ricardo POP UP, we transformed the festival experience by showcasing collections of second-hand items inspiring fashion-forward festival-visitors to shop sustainably.

Every item at the Ricardo stand was donated by employees, with proceeds supporting Fashion Revolution. Other stands featured Ricardo’s top sellers alongside second-hand stores, such as Maroni Vintage and Rework, giving visitors ample options for creating standout, sustainable festival looks.

Beyond that, Ricardo has taken its commitment to sustainable fashion a step further by collaborating with Projekt Restwert/Plusvalue in a permanent pop-up shop in Lausanne. Located in the heart of the city, this year-round hub for preloved fashion showcases a carefully curated selection of second-hand and vintage items. It also provides a space for local second-hand sellers to connect with conscious consumers, fostering a vibrant community centred on sustainability.