Black Friday 2026

When faced with a bargain, it’s easy to focus on the price and overlook the wider impact of our purchases. While shoppers chase deals, our environment often pays a hidden cost through increased consumption, packaging, transport emissions and waste.

This year, you can help make Black Friday a little greener by asking yourself a few simple questions before you hit the checkout.

Do you really need to buy anything?

Waste levels typically rise significantly during the lead up to the festive shopping season, suggesting that many purchases are driven by temptation rather than genuine need.

Before buying, ask yourself:

• Have you checked what you’ve already got to avoid duplication?
• Could you reuse or repair an existing item instead of replacing it?
• Could you rent, hire or borrow the item instead?
• Could you wait a few days before purchasing to see if you still want it?

If you don’t really need something new, don’t buy it. You’ll save money and reduce your environmental impact too.

If you do need something, does it have to be new?

Before buying new, consider whether there are alternative options available.

• Are pre-loved, second-hand or refurbished alternatives available?
• Could you upgrade, update, modify or repurpose something you already own?
• Could you buy from a local reuse shop, charity shop or online marketplace instead? Many offer sales and promotions around Black Friday.

Pre-loved and refurbished items are often significantly cheaper than buying the same item new. They also help reduce demand for the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing and transportation associated with producing new goods. By giving products a longer life, you’re helping to prevent waste and support a more circular economy.

Can you reduce the chance of returning your purchase?

Returns create additional transport emissions, handling and packaging waste. Taking a little extra time before buying can help you avoid disappointment and reduce unnecessary returns.

• Can you try the item in a physical shop before buying?
• Have you checked measurements, specifications and compatibility?
• Have you researched customer reviews to ensure the item meets your needs?
• Have you reviewed the retailer’s returns policy?

Buying carefully helps save time, money and resources.

Is the item likely to last?

Not all products are created equal. Choosing durable products that are designed to last often represents better value for money and generates less waste over time.

Before purchasing, consider:

• Is it good quality, durable and easy to maintain?
• Can it be repaired if it breaks?
• Are spare parts available?
• Is it likely to become obsolete or go out of fashion quickly?
• Does the manufacturer have a good reputation for durability and sustainability?
• Can the item be recycled at the end of its life?
• Is the packaging recyclable?

Products that are built to last, can be repaired and can eventually be recycled generally have a lower environmental impact than items designed for short-term use.

Can you combine deliveries?

Every delivery involves transport and packaging. Where possible:

• Combine purchases into fewer deliveries.
• Choose standard shipping rather than express delivery where practical.
• Reuse packaging before recycling it.
• Check whether the packaging can be recycled through your local collection service.

Not sure what can be recycled through your kerbside collection? Visit our Recycling pages.

Reusing a cardboard box even once before recycling helps reduce demand for new materials, saving energy, water and resources.

If you’re replacing something, what will happen to the old one?

Before disposing of an item, consider whether it could provide value to somebody else.

• Can it be repaired?
• Could you sell it or donate it?
• Could somebody else make use of it?
• Does it contain personal data that should be removed first?
• Can it be recycled?
• Does it contain batteries that need to be removed and safely recycled?

Your unwanted item could still be useful to someone else, contain valuable materials that can be recovered through recycling, or require special disposal arrangements.

Electrical items

Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled.

If you’re replacing electrical items during the Black Friday sales, make sure unwanted electricals are reused, donated or recycled rather than thrown away.

You’ll find information about local recycling options on the Recycle Your Electricals website.

Batteries

Many modern products contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. When damaged, crushed or disposed of incorrectly, batteries can cause fires in waste collection vehicles and recycling facilities.

• Never put loose batteries in your household rubbish or recycling bin.
• Remove batteries from devices where possible before recycling.
• Tape battery terminals if advised by local guidance.
• Recycle batteries at designated collection points.

For more information, visit our page on How and where to recycle your electricals.