A cup of coffee sits on a saucer which sits on a napkin with handwriting on the napkin. The words “declutter,” “keep,” “recycle,” “trash,” “sell,” and “donate” are all handwritten on the napkin.


Get Paid For Your Unused And Unwanted Items While Helping The Environment

You’ve finally had enough of all the stuff cluttering your home so it’s time for a clean-out! As you move through your house or apartment, you separate “keep” from “toss” until you have a huge pile of items that you no longer need. “I have two choices for all this stuff,” you think. “I can throw it away or I can donate it.”

However, there’s another option and it’s one that is not only good for the environment but can also put some money in your pocket — sell your things to a pawn shop! Yes, really! With over 140,000 5-Star reviews EZPAWN has been putting these myths to rest for over 45 years!

Pawn shops are often the unsung heroes of sustainability because they offer an opportunity to sell gently used items in good condition for cash. Those items are then resold to others at a price less than if purchased new. Visit a reputable pawn shop like EZPAWN and our team members will gladly help you out!


Americans Throw Out A LOT

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. had 292.4 million tons of waste in 2018. That’s nearly 5 pounds of waste per person thrown into landfills each day. Can you imagine throwing away your body weight in trash multiple times each year? If you’re 152 pounds, you’d be throwing yourself away each month!

Part of that waste comes in electronic form. We live in a world with rapidly evolving technology with the average lifespan of most electronic devices being just 1-2 years. According to Earth911.com, the U.S. generated nearly 7 million tons of e-waste in 2019. However, it’s not always convenient to recycle electronics. In a 2019 International Telecommunications Union report, only 15 percent of potential e-waste is recycled in the U.S.

By utilizing pawn shops for both selling and purchasing, you can reduce your carbon footprint while positively impacting your community and the planet.


Save The Planet And Make Money

Pawn shops like EZCORP’s various stores (EZPAWN, Value Pawn & Jewelry, USA Pawn, and Jewelry and others) procured more than 5.5 million used or pre-owned consumer product items in 2020 with a commercial value of $354 million and resold nearly 7 million used or pre-owned items with a commercial value of $445 million during the same time frame.

When you bring in an item to sell or when you come in to purchase a pre-owned item, you’re doing a good thing for the environment. When you reuse and recycle in this way, you reduce pressure on our landfills, cutting out all the resources — both material and power — that go into manufacturing something new. Not to mention our very affordable prices f buying something gently used versus brand new.

Pawn shops pioneered the notion of a circular economy — where reusing, recycling, and other refurbishment efforts minimize waste, carbon emissions, and pollution. The goal is to improve our resources’ longevity and usefulness so we don’t have to keep making — and disposing — of new ones. Pawn shops are neighborhood-based stores that sell pre-owned merchandise which is sourced and then recycled within each store’s geographic area. They help to reduce the area’s carbon footprint by not selling items that directly come from manufacturing facilities or distribution centers and eliminate the need for transportation services. Pawn shops are unique, essential, and sustainable.


What To Take To A Pawn Shop

While it’s commonly known that pawn shops take electronics like computers, phones, and TVs, as well as power tools and jewelry, did you know that you can take in almost anything of value that’s in good condition? Here are a few items that make the list:

Remember – the nicer the item, the greater chance a pawn shop is willing to buy it for a great price. Do you have something brand-name? From Louis Vuitton® to Apple® to Christian Louboutin®, if you have a brand that’s known for high quality, it’s worth taking it to a pawn shop for cash.


How To Get Top Dollar At Pawn Shops

Make sure it works! Pawnbrokers are going to test it so if you try to pass off something that doesn’t work or is glitchy, odds are they’ll question the authenticity of the other items you’ve brought with you.

Before you take in anything, make sure the item is clean and free of dust and debris. Remember, the newer the item looks, the greater your chance of getting a better offer! Also, bring in the manual, if you have one, as well as any accessories, parts, or cords needed to use the item.

And don’t discount broken jewelry! Pawn shops often take gold and precious gems, even if the item is broken. Many will purchase your broken jewelry to be melted down or processed for other uses - like future jewelry purchases.

The next time you clear the clutter from your closet or garage, make a little green and help keep re-sellable goods out of the landfill by taking items to your local pawn shop. EZPAWN is customer-focused and will give you great prices for your merchandise. Visit a store near you to get started today!