4 Reasons Why Thrifting is Good for the Environment

Whether you’re shopping on a budget or searching for something unique, thrift stores usually have something magical up their sleeves. You’ll find lots of preloved and slightly used goods like clothing, books, furniture, and those old things called DVDs.

And TFW, you find something unique and special is priceless. Sometimes, they’re even more major than buying a new mass-produced thing people drool over.

Thrifting’s rising fame, especially among the young generation, is its affordability in comparison to online and retail boutiques. But there’s another reason why we love going to flea markets or resale stores. It’s kinder to the environment.

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IS THRIFTING REALLY GOOD?

There’s a benefit to being a frugal fashionista aside from saving money! Buying stuff at used stores creates a positive impact on the environment. So, it’s a win-win situation for us.

REDUCE WASTE Buying at secondhand stores saves clothes and other stuff that otherwise end up in landfills. Did you know that an average American throws out 60-80 pounds of clothes in a lifetime? Shopping at used clothing stores, you’re basically a hero like Captain Planet! You’re preventing air pollution and water contamination, among other things. Less fabric and textiles will be wasted and burned just because you chose to shop preloved.

SUPPORT CHARITIES THAT DO GOOD When you shop at resale places, you’re also helping non-profit organizations provide essential services to their community. Like Goodwill, they equipped thousands of people with the training they needed for careers in healthcare, IT, banking, and other industries. Many other companies give back to the community when people donate to them and shop at one of their locations.

Here’s a list of thrift stores in LA that donate to charity organizations.

SAVES WATER Water is a precious resource. When we shop at thrift stores, we conserve water. Clothing production, including growing cotton, is a thirsty machine that uses thousands of gallons of water. On the other hand, textiles and fabrics don’t break down in the water and damage our beautiful oceans and wildlife.

LESS POLLUTION Buying used means less pollution. Cotton production not only consumes a lot of water but also uses a lot of pesticides, which harms the soil and the water of nearby communities and wildlife. At the same time, transporting raw materials to manufacturers and shipping them to stores uses a lot of energy and causes air pollution.

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GET THE MOST OUT OF THRIFTING

Old clothes out, preloved ones in! Keep the cycle of thrifting alive by donating your used clothes to charities or thrift stores and shopping off their racks.

KNOW WHAT YOU NEED There’s a lot of digging and trying out apparel at resale stores. Walk in knowing what you’re looking for because you might get too absorbed and distracted browsing aisles of clothes. You also don’t want to rush, so you can get the best of your shopping experience.

SHOP WITH INTENTION But when you find something you like, take your time and carefully check the clothing. Look at the hemlines, the stitching, the fabric, and everything else to see if you’re not getting something that has significant damage.

Thrifting is a fun and easy way to make a difference when trying to be intentional with your shopping. While it’s not the cure to climate change, you’re contributing positively to a more sustainable future, especially in the fashion world.