Thrifting and Its Benefits

In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in the culture of consumption. We’re bombarded with ads telling us to buy the latest and greatest products, and it can be hard to resist the temptation to keep up with the Joneses. But there’s a more sustainable way to shop that doesn’t involve buying new things all the time: thrifting. 

Thrifting is the act of shopping at secondhand stores, yard sales, or online resale sites for gently used items. It’s a great way to find stylish clothes, furniture, and home decor at a fraction of the price of buying new. And it’s not just good for your wallet – thrifting is also good for the environment. 

When you thrift, you’re keeping items out of landfills. The average person throws away about 81 pounds of clothing per year, and most of that ends up in dumpsters. By contrast, shopping secondhand keeps clothes in circulation and prolongs their life. In fact, the average garment is only worn about seven times before it’s discarded. 

Thrifting is also more sustainable than buying new because of the way clothing is produced. The fashion industry is one of the most polluting in the world, responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. A lot of that pollution comes from growing and harvesting synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon, as well as from the toxic dyes and chemicals used in fabric production. When you thrift, you’re not contributing to this pollution. 

Here are some of the best reasons to start thrifting today:

1. You’ll save money

This is the most obvious reason to start thrifting. Buying second hand items is almost always cheaper than buying new. And, since most of us are on a budget, saving money is always a good thing.

2. You’ll find unique items

When you thrift, you’re more likely to find unique items than you are when you shop at big box stores. That’s because thrift stores sell items that have been donated by people in the community. You never know what you’ll find!

3. You’ll help the environment

When you buy secondhand items, you’re keeping them out of landfills. That’s good for the environment! In addition, thrifting reduces the demand for new products, which helps reduce the pollution caused by manufacturing.

4. You’ll support a good cause

Many thrift stores are run by non-profit organizations. That means that when you shop at a thrift store, you’re supporting a good cause!

5. You can find anything you need

Need a new shirt? A pair of jeans? A winter coat? You can find all of those things (and more!) when you thrift.

6. You can shop online

Not all thrift stores are brick-and-mortar. There are plenty of online thrift stores, too! So next time you’re busy with online pokies, open a new tab and take a look.

7. You can sell your own items

Do you have clothes in your closet that you never wear? Sell them at a thrift store! This is a great way to make some extra money and declutter your home at the same time.

Now that you know the benefits of thrifting, it’s time to get started! Visit your local thrift store and see what you can find.