WHY BUYING SECOND HAND CLOTHING IS THE MORE SUSTAINABLE CHOICE
Buying second hand clothing is much more sustainable than supporting the unethical practices of the fast fashion industry. Let’s look at the reasons why it is better to buy second hand!
It is no secret that the fast fashion industry one of the most detrimental industries in the world. It lacks values and ethics that are in favor of the environment and the employees that work for these companies. If you research the intricacies of how the fast industry operates you will be appalled at how little they care about the effects they have on the earth, the amount of natural resources being used, wasted and destroyed, the amount of pollution they generate and the way they treat their employees with unfair labour practices and little to no pay. And these points are just the tip of the ice berg!
When you choose to buy second hand clothing, you are making a choice that comes with positive ripple effects for the earth.
If you have never tried second hand shopping before or you are on the fence about it, you can even find brand new items for much less than they retail for. You can really find some amazing gems in the thrifting market. While still feeling good about where you are buying your clothing from.
Let’s explore the reasons why it is better for the environment (and for us!) to buy second hand.
1. Reduces Your Carbon Footprint
Did you know that the fast fashion industry produces 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 every year?? There are also billions of liters of water being used yearly to manufacture new clothes.
When buying second hand, you are reducing the demand for new clothing to be produced. You are already purchasing something that is in existence. This reduces the carbon emissions from factories, it reduces water usage and waste.
2. Reduces Waste
The fashion industry produces around 92 million tonnes of waste each year. That is 92 million tonnes of garbage ending up in landfills (much of which could possibly be recycled). And if the waste is not disposed of in landfills, it ends up in the oceans, rivers, lakes and surrounding environments.
If everyone bought their clothing second hand, from thrift shops, vintage stores, charity shops, garage/storage sales and auctions, or donated unwanted clothing, this would solve a massive portion of this world’s waste issues.
You are helping to reduce excess waste by decreasing the demand for new clothes to be made when you buy second hand.
3. Stops Landfills From Filling Up
If you are buying second hand, you are directly reducing the amount of waste ending up in landfills.
The consumer culture has the fast fashion industry filling up landfills with so much waste. Not only does the waste from factories end up in landfills. But people are continuously buying new pieces that end up being thrown out instead of of being donated or resold to someone who would put it to use. There are an unimaginable amount of pieces in landfills that someone could have used or would have wanted.
4. Buying Second Hand Reduces Water Usage
It can take anywhere between 7000 and 30 000 liters to produce ONE kilogram of raw cotton! The more we buy first hand clothing, the more water is being used to meet the demand. And the more water is being wasted because of the tonnes and tonnes of items that people throw away and that these companies do not end up selling because of mass over production.
Recycling textiles and materials can save so much of the earth’s most valuable resource. You can find beautiful second hand pieces that can be reworn and resold over again knowing that your purchase is saving 1000s of litres of water from being used to create a whole new item.
5. Reduces Environmental Pollution
Every second hand purchase that you make can help to reduce the chances of natural environments being harmed by the pollutants of the fashion industry.
The amount of insecticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers being used in the fashion industry is shocking! And where do all of the pollutants and dyes end up? They contaminate the lands, the surrounding environments, rivers and the ocean. Which destroys the environment and disrupts natural eco-systems, which further harms the wildlife.
6. Shop Ethically – Feel Good About What You Are Wearing!
Many of the most well-known and popular fashion brands (even the luxury ones) have unethical labour laws. They treat their workers unfairly (it is modern day slavery) and pay them extremely little to no money.
These companies exploit their workers. They support child labour and have harsh working environments that are not fit for any person to be working in.
Although this is a major issue and there are so many aspects to this point, buying second hand can help to combat this issue to a certain degree.
7. Buying Second Hand is Budget Friendly & Better Quality
I can not even tell you how many times I have bought second hand items and the quality is so much better than anything I would have found in the malls. And for half the price!
You can save so much money buying thrifted, second hand or donated clothing. And often times that money goes to a small business or a charity. Instead of a massive fast fashion company that does not care about you, your experience with them or the quality they are giving you.
Fast fashion companies have one aim and that is to make money. So they keep their customers in a loop of buying new pieces all the time to keep up with new trends. They are manipulating people into thinking they need the latest of what they have to offer.
Buying second hand is definitely the way to go to ensure you are spending your money on items that you will love for a long time, that did not come with a high price tag and that no longer have a detrimental effect on the environment.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”
– Unknown
Now that we have covered the main reasons why buying second hand is the more sustainable choice, I hope that you will start filling your closet with some beautiful pre-loved gems that you find floating out in the world!
I would love to hear if you have any of your own reasons why you prefer buying second hand. Let me know down in the comments.
Share this post to your community
