As a minimum-wage working high school student, when I discovered the world of secondhand clothing, I felt what could only be considered pure bliss. It’s cheap, better for the environment, and has a story behind it – what more could you want! However, as I greedily grabbed nearly everything I could get my hands on, I was warned about the ethical concerns related to thrift shopping. Why should I, a teenager who has the ability to buy clothes firsthand, take clothing out of the hands of those who rely on secondhand clothing? While that concern is valid, in learning more about the resale and reuse cycle I feel confident that the trend of thrifting not only benefits me but the world in general.
Since 2018, not only has the number of donations to second-hand stores increased, but the consumer rate at these stores has increased as well. This means that more clothing is being reused. The Planet Aid publication puts it best, stating “The rise of the reuse and resale trend will help to save more resources from needless disposal”. From 2017 to 2019 Gen Z secondhand clothing sales have increased by 46%, accounting for this rise in demand for sustainable and affordable shopping. This raise in percentage still leaves ample clothes available for those who rely on secondhand clothing, while still contributing positively to the resale community.
Similarly, the message thrifting portrays is not only eco-friendly but encourages those who rely on thrift shopping to feel less ‘ashamed’ about the place they get their clothes. When acquaintances ask me where I get my clothes, I proudly state that they’re thrifted; why wouldn’t I? It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, and has become a part of mainstream media. Not to mention, thrift stores allow for people from all socio-economic statuses to feel confident in the clothes they are wearing; people from all walks of life peek into their local thrift stores to find some cool clothing. Now, more than ever, the rising popularity of ‘thrifting’ has made for more inclusive fashion industry.
In terms of economic and ecological advancement, this system will only help lower the amount of clothing in landfills if we use it as a replacement for buying clothing firsthand. Luckily, this seems to be what Gen Z and Millenials are doing as another trend on the rise is the Marie Kondo effect. This effect states that less is more in possessions, specifically clothing. The Planet Aid publication also states that From 2018 to 2019, the average amount of pieces of clothing one possesses has dropped from 164 to 136. This directly correlates with the increased interest in thrift and consignment stores, so we can deduce that as the interest in abundance decreases, the awareness of benefits thrifting offers has increased.
Although this is a great advancement in lowering ecological damage from clothing waste, we must continue the cycle. The best way to help is to both purchase from and donate to your local thrift stores. This will keep the cycle of use and reuse flourishing, and hopefully decrease the total amount of clothing waste in the world. If the trend continues to rise, Planet Aid believes that the market of secondhand clothing will double by 2023. So to all you millennials and Gen Z’s who haven’t, make a stop at your local thrift store! You will be benefiting both the environment and your wallet.
https://www.planetaid.org/blog/millennials-and-gen-z-causing-surge-in-used-clothing-demand
