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.
Buying secondhand goods means that the energy and natural resources that went into creating those goods have already been used. So, you're not creating a demand for new items that require additional energy or deplete even more natural resources.
Thrifting offers an alternative to the fast fashion model by promoting the reuse and recycling of clothing and other items. By shopping for secondhand items, you can: Reduce waste: Purchasing pre-owned items helps prevent them from ending up in landfills or being incinerated, thereby reducing overall waste generation.
Extend a garments life-cycle – By buying second-hand clothing and giving it a new home, we can stop many textiles from ending up in landfill. Save resources – Second hand clothing will reduce the demand for fast fashion, thus saving on vital world resources such as water and cotton.
Shopping second hand can be an ethical minefield whether you're buying preloved garments to wear, or worse, reselling. Second hand fashion resellers are under fire for profiting from cheap clothing bought from charity and second hand shops.
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.
Why is thrifting more sustainable than fast fashion?
Consumers are able to donate clothes that they do not wear anymore which reduces waste that would likely end up in a landfill. By creating a sales model supported by donations, thrift stores allow people to recycle clothes they may not wear anymore.
Buying second-hand clothing has various impacts on society. On one hand, it can contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing the overall process of making new clothes and consuming resources . Additionally, the trade of second-hand clothing can provide affordable options for people living in poverty .
It's more convenient to buy and sell second-hand, and for a lot of people, it's a badge of honour because it's in line with their values. Over the last year there's been a shift in the public psyche. I think lockdown has taught a lot of us that we can easily live without shopping every weekend.
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.
Second-hand consumption of clothing can support the transition to circular economies by prolonging the lifespan of products through reuse. Historically, not-for-profit businesses have been dominant actors in second-hand markets across Western Europe and North America.
A quarter of consumers are prepared to pay more for sustainability. This includes paying more to protect biodiversity or for sustainable products and packaging, or for products or services of suppliers that respect human rights or commit to ethical working practices.
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.
Is Zara Fast Fashion? As noted, not only is Zara a fast fashion brand but they are one of the inventors of the business model. Together with H&M they really helped create the fast fashion business model, which has made the whole fashion industry less sustainable overall.
By choosing to buy secondhand clothing instead of brand new, you reduce waste and help the planet. In this way, thrift shopping is the ultimate way to live out the ” reduce, reuse, recycle” motto!
Thrift shopping significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping. 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.
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.
While used clothing is generally fine, you don't want these items used. Because of where they sit on your body, a whole other level of germs come into play. That includes genital infections and small amounts of poop. And swimsuits tend to wear out quickly, so you're not really saving much money in the long run.
It's also great for the environment. If you choose thrifting over fast fashion, you are helping cut back your fashion-footprint. There will always be a concern when it comes to second-hand shopping, but the real concern should be aimed at the unnecessary waste. Nowadays, second-hand shopping isn't only done in-store.
This is consistent with previous reports by other publications. In general, 69% of Gen Z users and 67% of millennial respondents said they have bought any secondhand item in the past 12 months. Gen X are less prone to having made secondhand purchases at 52%, followed by 45% of baby boomers.
You could end up wasting money if you have to ultimately throw the item out. Another risk factor when buying second-hand pieces is that you're forgoing guaranteed cleanliness. Without knowing how previous owners cared for their items or whether they were cleaned thoroughly, you don't know what you're getting.
