By Kate Di Guglielmo, Staff Writer.
DEAL: Save money and your closet!
Buying second hand is a simple practice— one that it is much more beneficial than many believe. This practice can save money and help protect the earth. Buying second hand, or ”thrifting,” has become a very popular practice among people of all ages and genders. Its popularity has led it to be considered “trendy.” Despite the recent surge in its popularity, thrifting has always been a common activity, as people have been thrifting since the beginning of the fashion industry in the 19th century. Recycling cans is much like recycling clothes. After someone is done with their clothes they get recycled and are transformed into something or someone else’s. Donating is an effective and easy way to offer a helping hand. Thrifting will allow you to buy cheaper clothes to fill those new holes in your closet. But how can buying second hand help the earth?
The fashion industry is so huge that according to Refinery29, it “consumes 79 billion cubic meters of water [which is] enough to fill 32 million Olympic-size swimming pools ” By thrifting, donating, or buying second hand, you can help lower the usage of water used to make clothes. Along with reducing water usage, buying second hand keeps clothing out of landfills and prevents it from polluting the earth and the ocean. According to Phys.org, “35% of the microplastics that end up inside the ocean are from synthetic textiles” like clothing. If the clothing is recycled instead of thrown away it helps prevent microplastics from harming the sea and animal life.
Second hand shopping can also help one find inexpensive clothes to fit their sense of style! Thrift stores give people so many options for all body types and sizes, anyone can find at least one thing they love. Thrifting also provides an easy way to experiment with your style. You can buy something and if you decide you don’t like it, you can simply donate it again. If someone wanted to be unique and have a special style, thrifting is the perfect way to do that! You can buy clothes that no one else has, and you can even find authentic vintage clothes.
If you’ve ever wanted a little bit of curiosity or excitement added to your life, thrifting can give it to you! There are so many objects and so many clothes that one can never know what they may find. One could find a funny toilet mug, or a new candle! Or maybe you’re bored and want a project, buy something second hand and turn it into whatever you’d like! Fun, cheap, and a cure for your project craving. Buying second hand is a blessing for us and the earth. You can save yourself money and you can help the world.