Vinted is now Europe’s biggest app for buying and selling used clothes. As their official website indicates, they now unite more than 75 million people in 20 countries. Since 2008, they’ve grown tremendously and currently employ more than 1200 workers on a mission to make second-hand people’s first choice.
It was founded by two Lithuanians, Milda Mitkutė and Justas Janauskas, after a conversation at a house party. Milda found herself in a small student apartment overflowing with clothes. She wanted them put to good use instead of collecting dust in the depths of her closet. Justas offered to help and built a website that allowed users to give away clothes to friends.
Back in 2008, secondhand fashion was not as mainstream as it is now, and the cofounders didn’t expect success in their home country, let alone expanding to others. It was just a passion hobby for the two students. However, interest in their platform started to grow, and they realized that the second-hand market had a real future. In the following years, it attracted investors, which led them to expand further. After raising €128 million in funding, it became Lithuania’s first tech unicorn in 2019.
Sustainability remains the number one priority throughout their whole operational process. According to their report on climate impact, Vinted set out to minimize their effect on the environment and has introduced the “Pick Up and Drop Off” (PUDO) approach. The alternative parcel distribution saved 62% of emissions compared to home delivery.
Additionally, it was found that 62% of sellers reused packaging designed for single use, which resulted in 70% lower emissions than using new. Shopping secondhand instead of new also showed an average emissions savings of 1.8 kg of CO2 per item. In total, it has stopped 453 kilotons of CO2 from entering our atmosphere.
Vinted’s popularity proves that the view towards consuming fashion has shifted. People are looking for more sustainable ways to shop and minimize their impact on the environment. Pre-loved boutiques are popping up everywhere, and charity and thrift shops have lost their previous stigma. Shopping secondhand is now cool, sustainable, and a lot cheaper.
