Recently, I stumbled upon an article published by the World Health Organization (WHO) that left me deeply concerned about the state of our planet.
According to WHO, 37% of heat-related deaths can be attributed to human-induced climate change.
Even worse, the projections suggest that things could get even uglier — with further climate change expected to cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050!
What does that mean? That if there’s a time we ever needed to embrace sustainability the most, then it has to be now!
Sustainability focuses on making decisions today without affecting the generations to come. It promotes long-term well-being by balancing economic, social, and environmental factors.
Now, while there are many ways to embrace sustainability, today, we’re specifically casting our spotlight on thrifting. You’re probably wondering, why thrifting? Join me as we explore 10 reasons why thrifting is so sustainable.
What is Thrifting?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s best to ensure that we’re all on the same page. So, what is thrifting?
Well, in the simplest of terms, thrifting is the act of buying second-hand or gently used goods. This could be from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, or other establishments that deal with second-hand items.
These items can be anything, really, from shoes and clothing to accessories, furniture, and even household items.
Currently, the US’s thrifting market is valued at USD$53 billion, and looking at the growth chart, these numbers have been growing and will keep doing so, with the market expected to hit an all-time crescendo of USD$70 billion by the time 2027 elapses.
That said, let’s see how thrifting can be a potent weapon in our quest for a more sustainable planet.
10 Reasons Thrifting is Considered Sustainable
Now that we have the basics of what thrifting is and a slight hint of its market, let’s now dive into our core agenda — why thrifting is so sustainable.
Well, here are several reasons:
1. Thrifting Reduces Waste
Do you know that every year, 11.2 billion tons of solid waste is collected? That’s what UNEP says! Do you know what that means?
Well, let’s do some simple mathematics!
A year has 31,536,000 seconds. So, 11.2 billion tons simply means that for every single second that ticks away, 355 tons of waste is produced!
Yes, it’s that serious.
Unfortunately, the waste produced is one of the leading causes of methane gas, a greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. What’s responsible for this waste production? Our overindulgent shopping habits!
By choosing to thrift, we’re using what’s already produced, reducing the demand for new products. With low demand, manufacturers have to cut production, thus reducing our future waste potential.
2. Thrifting Saves Natural Resources
Apparently, there’s so much that goes into making new products. Let’s take the production of a new garment, for instance.
Cotton, one of the most commonly used fabrics in clothing, requires 10,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram.
Yes, 10,000 liters for just 1kg, as per the World Counts! And we’re just talking about growing cotton, or what’s best known as “virtual water”.
When sewing, dyeing, and finishing the fabric, of course, more water has to come into play. And that’s on water alone.
Energy is also needed in the production process. Add other resources like petroleum and capital costs.
This all sums up to a significant impact on our planet’s precious natural resources. So, by embracing thrifting as a sustainability approach, we’re reducing the demand for new products, saving these valuable resources.
3. Thrifting Supports Local Economies
The thrift stores where we buy our second-hand items are often owned by small businesses. That means they play a central role in supporting the local communities. Hence, by choosing thrifting, we help these businesses grow and succeed.
Moreover, buying second-hand items helps keep money within the community. In other words, when you shop at your nearby thrift store, chances are that the money earned will remain in the community and not be sent off to a large corporation’s headquarters located elsewhere.
And, of course, by providing employment to the people around, thrifting stores minimize movements, reducing the carbon footprint to a certain degree. The difference may not be significant, but remember that these small things eventuallly add up.
4. Thrifting Reduces Pollution
Besides fueling the generation of waste, producing new products produces pollutants that can sneak into our waterways, air, soil, or even our immediate environment.
Environmental Protection Agency says that for every ounce of polyethylene (PET) produced, an ounce of CO2 is released into the environment. And just so you know, PET is the plastic used in making beverage bottles.
The ratio of carbon emissions produced could be higher, some sources suggesting it could be even as high as 5:1.
And that’s on plastic alone. Think of what we produce when making textiles, metal goods, etc. What happens to such products when they’re no longer in use? Well, most probably end up being incinerated, which again may produce more CO2.
By choosing to thrift, we help reduce this pollution by reducing the demand for new items.
5. Thrifting Encourages Unique Finds
Who doesn’t love unique items? One advantage of thrifting is that you have a higher chance of finding them.
You see, thrift stores are known to have a broad spectrum of items, some going back decades! And the best part? You can get them at significantly lower prices than you’d pay for new products.
So, how is this sustainable? Well, because if you can find a unique item in thrift stores, then you need not request a custom-made one, which would require new resources.
Additionally, by embracing unique finds, we break away from the conventional mindset of always wanting what’s “in trend”, thereby reducing our impact on the environment.
6. Extends the Lifespan of Items
Another way thrifting is a sustainable practice is that it extends the lifespan of items. That’s because when we choose to buy second-hand goods, we give whatever we’re acquiring a new lease of life.
This, in turn, minimizes the demand for new products, placing minimal pressure on product production. When what needs to be produced is minimal, the resources needed will also be minimal.
Furthermore, by buying used products, we prevent them from ending up in landfills where they may take years or even decades to decompose fully. This reduces waste generation and pollution while also saving valuable landfill space.
7. Lowers Carbon Footprint
Carbon (IV) Oxide remains one of the major environmental concerns. This becomes even more concerning when trees, the biggest carbon sink, are continuously being cut down to pave the way for activities like farming and production.
As per UN FAO, up to 10 million hectares of forests are being cut. That could be on the lower side, considering that The World Count shows that 16 million hectares of forests have either been cut or burned down from January 1st to July 30th 2024.
That means if we don’t manage our carbon footprint, we could soon find ourselves in a big trouble. Now, thrifting helps reduce the amount of carbon (iv) oxide by cutting on production and transportation of new goods.
Sure, transportation might still be involved, but at least it doesn’t involve long-distance shipping or air cargo, which is known to produce more carbon into the atmosphere.
By choosing to thrift, we play a small role in mitigating climate change. And if all of us took this approach, the impact could be significant!
8. Encourages a Circular Economy
A circular economy is simply an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and using resources best. To achieve this, a circular economy majorly underscores the need to reuse and repurpose items that have reached their end-of-life stage.
When we choose to thrift, we are directly contributing to this concept. How? Because we’re giving used items a new lease of life, which means they don’t need to up in landfills and polluting the environment.
Additionally, by buying second-hand goods, we reduce the demand for new products, which means fewer resources will be needed for production. This helps close the loop in the linear model of production and consumption that has been damaging to the environment.
9. Thrifting Saves Money
Goods at thrift stores are significantly cheaper than their new counterparts. Surprisingly, most of these goods aren’t in bad condition. In fact, most are in great working condition, with some barely used at all.
By choosing to thrift, we choose to save finances, which is an important aspect when it comes to sustainability.
Additionally, since by thrifting we can afford quality items that may have been out of our price range if bought new, it becomes easier for us to invest in long-lasting, durable goods rather than constantly buying cheap, low-quality items that need to be replaced frequently.
10. Educational Opportunities
Lastly, thrifting provides educational opportunities for individuals on the importance of sustainability and reducing waste. By availing quality and unique second-hand goods, people can learn that not all second-hand items are actually bad, helping impart a sustainability mindset.
Furthermore, customers can also learn about the history of certain products and how they have evolved over time, which can promote an appreciation for sustainable practices.
In addition, thrift stores often work with local charities or organizations, providing information on various causes and educating customers on ways to support them through their purchases. This helps raise awareness for important issues in our communities.
Conclusion
As seen, thrifting is a sustainable practice for many reasons. However, one thing you have to keep in mind is that you need not go out collecting everything you see.
Remember, the more items you bring in, the more clutter you might have to deal with in the future, and the more you set yourself up for more waste production in the future, clearly defeating the purpose.
Therefore, it’s essential to thrift with intentionality. The price tag might be very tempting, but only get what you actually need. This way, you’ll not only be saving the environment, but you’ll also be saving yourself from future waste management issues.
