Thrift shopping can be as affordable as fast fashion brands, without the harmful environmental impacts associated with overproduction. While the environmental benefits of sustainable fashion may seem undeniable, thrifting is not without ethical concerns.
Dirty. Clothing and textiles that are donated to thrift stores are not laundered before they end up in the store and could contain lots of bacteria or even bedbugs. Some of these clothes are so dirty, a thrift shop will likely immediately throw them away.
Thrift flipping has emerged as a popular and eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion, providing individuals with the opportunity to create unique, personalized clothing items while reducing waste in the fashion industry.
If every consumer this year bought just one secondhand garment instead of a new one, it would lower CO2 emissions by more than 2 billion pounds, equal to taking 76 million cars off the road for a day, and save some 23 billion gallons of water and 4 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, according to ThredUp's report.
At the end of the day, reselling cannot be 100% ethical because nothing is ethical under capitalism. However, being mindful when it comes to reselling and being well researched in the merchandise you are putting out is the only way we can keep reselling and thrifting morally ethical.
Thrifting Will Not Save Us | Our Problem with Overconsumption
What is the controversy with thrifting?
Inflated pricing on secondhand-shopping platforms like Depop and IRL vintage stores has received increasing scrutiny as more people online claim the practice of buying in bulk and selling at double or more the price is inherently unethical.
Thrifting has become a way the younger generation sees a solution to reducing their environmental footprint and contributing to anti-capitalist solutions while still being able to develop a sense of self through expression.
When you choose second-hand items, you're not only saving resources but also minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions linked to the production and transportation of new products. This small shift in your shopping habits can lead to a notable reduction in your personal carbon footprint.
Now, thrifting is receiving its rightful recognition as a more exciting and sustainable shopping experience. In comparison to buying fast fashion, thrifting is a guilt free alternative because shopping secondhand supports the reuse and repurposing of pre-loved clothing.
Thrift stores will sort through the clothing before putting it on display and throw out anything that has stains, damage, or a bad odor. Regardless, as a general rule, we still strongly encourage you to wash your clothing purchases, new or used, before you wear.
While the popularity of second-hand shopping has empowered sustainability, it can simultaneously drive up prices to unaffordable ranges, which can be concerning for lower-income individuals who often look for second-hand shopping out of necessity rather than a trend.
Moreover, the secondhand market is expected to increase 127% by 2026, three times faster than the global apparel market overall. Essentially, the circular market is growing rapidly, encroaching on fast fashion's profits with some estimating the secondhand industry will be worth over $700 billion by 2030.
Some of the disadvantages of thrifting include the long time it takes to sort through the many, often unorganized, clothing items. Often the clothes have no warranty and no return policy, says the Odyssey. The worlds of fast fashion and thrifting are both equally fun and exciting!
“These days secondhand shopping is becoming the norm and, in many cases, preferred to buying brand new because of the wide variety of clothing available and the affordability compared to buying from a traditional retail store,” she said. Thrifting started to become a fashion trend during the pandemic thanks to TikTok.
For Gen Z, thrifting is more than just an affordable practice; it's a form of self-expression. With a wide range of one-of-a-kind items in thrift stores, they're able to find unique pieces that reflect their personal style. Some Gen Zers view thrifting and reselling as a challenge to find the diamond in the rough.
Financially, thrifting can be a great option since certain clothes are made to last longer than fast fashion produced in a high volume to stay in time with popular trends. Purchasing clothes that are made to last is more sustainable and cost effective since consumers don't need to buy the same item over and over again.
According to Goodwill, the perfect time slot to shop at thrift stores is in the morning on both Monday and Tuesday. This is because, at least as far as Goodwill is concerned, people tend to donate garage sale remnants on Sunday, so the pickings are new and fresh come early weekdays.
Lastly, shopping at online thrift stores helps reduce waste and the environmental impact of manufacturing new goods. By purchasing second-hand items, you're giving them a new lease on life and keeping them out of landfills.
Not only does buying used reduce the number of natural resources being used, it also reduces the amount of energy used and pollution that's being emitted. Things like pesticides, burning fuel in the trucks that haul the items, toxic chemicals and carbon emissions.
These are eco-friendly ways to recycle clothes and benefit the environment. Secondhand clothing stores are also a way to support your community. Most thrift stores are non-profit and creates jobs for people to have. It supports many low-income communities by allowing for a place to receive clothing for a lower price.
Not everyone who resells is a terrible person. But one should take into consideration how their overconsumption and price-gouging affects others. An example of this is influencers who do thrift halls, and then sell the items on apps like Depop. Actions like this are taking advantage of a good resource.
Sellers on Depop and other sites need to be aware of this and realize how their actions are unethical and potentially hurting others. There are many other side hustles these individuals can do to make money that are not harmful, and the act of hurting low-income communities needs to stop.
While the reselling practice allows items to be reused, reselling on Depop does not have ethical intentions behind it. Resellers will over-price their thrifted products since the Generation Z consumer is unlikely to know the difference between genuine vintage and typical thrift store fillers (Nguyen, 2021).
