Environmental Impact of Thrifting

Paige Weksler
Aug 6
2 min read

Thrifting is often considered a more sustainable option, but how significant an impact can it actually have?

Well, first of all, what is thrifting? Thrifting is the act of shopping for previously owned items, typically clothing. Thrifting for clothes has gained popularity through social media, and it is most popular among Gen Z. Secondhand clothes can be purchased online on thrifting platforms such as ThreadUp, Depop, or Poshmark, or in person at stores like Goodwill or local, non-chain thrift stores. Buying secondhand is substantially cheaper than buying retail, providing shoppers with the ability to buy more for less. The exact savings range is based on the condition of the item and the brand, with prices being higher for less-known branded clothes in poorer condition as opposed to known branded clothing that is next to new.

Thrifting is considered more sustainable for various reasons; for starters, it reduces the amount of clothes in landfills and uses fewer resources. Thrifting keeps clothes out of landfills because those clothes that would normally be sent to landfills and destroy natural ecosystems. Making new clothes requires a substantial amount of water in manufacturing, while thrifting eliminates the need to make another item of clothing.

How much of a measurable impact does thrifting really create?

Because of the water needed to make new clothes, buying a pair of second-hand jeans and a T-shirt saves 20,000 standard bottles of water, providing over 4,750 people with enough water for the day. As far as carbon footprint, buying second-hand clothing instead of new reduces carbon emissions by 25%. Purchasing a thrifted piece of clothing saves 8.41 pounds in carbon emissions and 16.48 kWh of energy that can be used for powering numerous other things. Thrifting creates a huge impact in a world that is actively suffering from the actions of humans. Thrifting saves much-needed water and energy and reduces pollutant use. Every shirt, every pair of jeans, every jacket you thrift has an impact that is key to saving the earth.