Thrifting on the Environment
We live in a world that is obsessed with the latest trends. Everybody wants to own a piece of apparel that is trending in the fashion universe. While there is nothing wrong with having the desire to own something, the impact it is having on the environment is far from positive. We are occupants of a planet that is drowning in textile waste. Our choices are to blame for this. Owning fast-fashion pieces can be tempting but the behind-the-scenes reality of these garments is appalling.
Thankfully, in recent years, consumers have become much more aware of their purchase decisions. There is a growing awareness of adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. Of the many initiatives consumers are taking, one practice that is taking the fashion world by storm is thrifting or thrift shopping. We already spoke about it in our previous blogs and how it is affecting fashion trends.
What is Thrifting?
Thrifting refers to the practice of purchasing items particularly fashion articles that are pre-used, pre-owned and pre-loved. It can either be surplus garments discarded by fast-fashion brands or old items that are upcycled. Thrifting allows one to enjoy a stylish and functional wardrobe while contributing significantly towards the environment. It is just a term coined for second-hand shopping. Back in the day, one would feel ashamed to say that they’ve bought an item that is second-hand. However, today, millennials and GenZ have embraced this trend and welcomed it with open arms. Also, thrifting allows one to find unique, hidden treasures under one roof.
Thrifting & It’s Benefit for the Environment
From 2021 to 2023, the global second-hand apparel market grew from $138 billion to $211 billion. It is expected to reach a whopping $351 billion by the end of 2027. Keeping in mind these figures, thrifting is considered a more sustainable alternative than buying from fast-fashion brands. Let’s have a look at how thrifting is really making a difference and why it’s the most sustainable choice consumers should make right now:
Reduction in Textile Waste
The textile waste generated by fast-fashion brands is shocking. The fate of most mass-produced clothes is that they end up being dumped in landfills. And, when you buy clothes made from synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester, they end up taking hundreds of years to decompose. When you thrift, you extend the lifespan of clothes. They prevent them from ending up in landfills or being incinerated. This reduces the overall textile waste generation. Every thrifted article reduces the fashion industry’s need to execute a resource-intensive manufacturing process. Remember, every small action counts.
Resource Conservation
Did you know? Clothes require many resources to be manufactured. The most important resource being water. A pair of jeans alone is estimated to use 1,800 gallons of water in the manufacturing process and cotton growth. These resources are finite and thus they have to be used mindfully. When you thrift, the lifespan of products is improved. It prevents the need for new manufacturing. It also reduces the consumption of raw materials namely energy and water. Even when you donate pre-owned items, you contribute to a cycle of resource conservation that not just benefits the environment but future generations too.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
The carbon emissions generated owing to the production and transportation of new goods is shocking. Thrift shopping actually reduces the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing and shipping. It reduces the greenhouse gas emissions. Even a small change in your shopping habits can protect the environment.
Less Chemical Pollution
Textiles need a large number of pesticides to be grown. Fabrics treated with harsh dyes are not just harmful to the environment but our health too. When synthetic fabrics are manufactured, greenhouse emissions are released into the environment which results in climate change. These harmful chemicals and toxins not just disrupt the environmental balance but also contaminate our water, soil, and air. A few chemicals can also affect wildlife adversely. Chemical leaks around manufacturing plants are common too which contaminates the surface and groundwater. When you buy second-hand, the negative impact of chemical pollution is mitigated.
Second-hand Shopping: The Way Forward to a Greener Future
It’s pretty clear and evident that thrifting has a large number of environmental benefits. However, could it really be the future of fashion? Well, no. Thrift shopping will exist alongside fast-fashion and slow-fashion. Those who’ve completed fashion and apparel design courses will still continue making new garments. It is only an initiative that has made consumers more mindful overall. Besides purchasing new clothes, consumers don’t mind indulging in second-hand items. Awareness is important at the end of the day.
Furthermore, as a consumer when you embrace thrift shopping, you support local communities, stand against exploitative practices, and become an unpaid advocate of mindful consumerism. Thrift shopping also encourages you to be more creative in your individual style as you might find unique items you may have never seen before. Your action serves as an inspiration to others. Thrift your way to a green future.
