08:00, 09 July 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
At this year’s Blue Earth Forum, eBay reaffirmed its commitment to building a more sustainable future by championing the circular economy.
As leaders in the reselling market, and many conversations at the Forum around waste reduction and conscious consumption, eBay is showing how global platforms can lead the way by making resale and reuse easier and more accessible for all.
One of the most popular panel talks at the event was the eBay Circularity Studio – a discussion alongside MP Toby Perkins; Matt Giles, co-founder of Preloved Tech; Kristen Connell from Octopus Ventures; and Salah Said, Head of Sustainability and ESG at Klarna.
Alexandra Hiatt, Head of Recommerce at eBay, moderated the discussion which brought together a varied group of speakers from tech to investing. She shared how eBay is not just enabling a circular economy, but it’s investing in the ecosystem that powers it. With millions of users worldwide, eBay is uniquely positioned to scale circularity and make it part of everyday life.
At the core of eBay’s approach is a clear mission: to make second-hand second nature. The platform has introduced several features to support this, including Certified Refurbished programmes and simplified listing tools to encourage casual resellers. This is all in a bid to help users better understand item value. eBay has also partnered with repair services and third-party authenticators, helping to build consumer trust and extend the lifespan of products.
To hear more from Alexandra Hiatt about eBay’s vision for a more circular future, watch the video below:
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation. This is a UK-based charity dedicated to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. They work with businesses, governments, and academia to promote systems that eliminate waste and keep resources in use. Find out more.
The Restart Project. This charity empowers people to repair their electronics and reduce waste with community repair events and advocacy. Learn more here.
Give Your Best. This UK social enterprise is the first online platform to donate clothes, where communities living in clothing poverty can shop for free. They also allow shoppers to participate in a pay-it-forward scheme. Support them here.
