In a world where you can order a new wardrobe in the click of a button, it is imperative that consumers evaluate their relationship to consumerism. As the fashion and furniture industries produce more items at a cheaper quality, buying secondhand is a more sustainable way to shop.
The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. The extraction and processing of raw materials, coupled with energy-intensive manufacturing processes, deplete resources, and degrade ecosystems. Shipping items also contribute to large releases of greenhouse gases. Even before items are thrown out, they are already contributing to environmental harm.
The fashion industry churns out around 100 billion garments annually, predominantly composed of fossil-fuel-heavy synthetic fabrics notorious for their environmental harm, such as polyester. Historically, the fashion industry used to have two seasons a year, fall and spring. Now, some brands release thousands of styles a day, rightfully earning the title of ‘fast fashion’. This contributes to overconsumption and the artificial desire to buy more.
The furniture industry has been plagued with similar issues, with some retailers being dubbed ‘fast furniture.’ Fast furniture, which is mass-produced and inexpensive. Similarly to fast fashion, items have an extremely short lifespan.
Each year, Americans throw out more than 12 million tons of furniture, and the rate of disposal has grown 450% since 1960, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Some parts of tossed furniture can be recycled, but the vast majority ends up in landfills.
In recent years, thrifting has become one of the primary ways that individuals combat the environmental degradation wrought by fast fashion and fast furniture. By embracing secondhand shopping, consumers not only reduce their carbon footprint, but also contribute to a more sustainable and ethical world.
According to thredUP, an online secondhand retailer, and their 2023 annual resale report, a staggering 75% of all United States consumers and 83% of Generation Z consumers are either actively shopping for or open to purchasing second-hand apparel.
The global secondhand apparel market has witnessed remarkable growth, with its value soaring from $138 billion in 2021 to $211 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $351 billion by 2027. More and more individuals are turning to thrifting for both affordability and environmental reasons.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStores are one of the best places for individuals to make a difference on a local scale. Not only are shoppers helping to reduce waste, but they are also helping fund the construction of affordable housing in Northwest Vermont.
The Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity ReStores has diverted over 3 million pounds of goods from landfills. In 2023, we sold over 680,000 items from all three of our ReStores. We accept items such as clothing, appliances, building materials, and more.
We also accept donations of cars and other pieces of equipment to help families looking for an affordable transportation option, and this also helps prevent cars from being sold for parts and turned into trash.
As our environmental crisis becomes more dire, shoppers at the ReStores can know that their shopping and donation helps contribute towards a more sustainable and just world.
To learn more about our ReStores, visit our website for information on donating, shopping, and volunteering.
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