3 Ways Thrifting Helps the Planet
We’re all looking for ways to do right by our planet. It may not be realistic to give up your car and only eat foods you grow on your own land, but it is possible to make a difference with small choices that add up over time. Thrifting is one of those simple choices!
We’ve made it easy for you to get started by pulling together these three ways thrift shopping at your nearest Goodwill store helps the planet:
#1: Fewer Items in the Landfill
Depending on what material your clothing is made of, it can take clothing from a few months up to 200 years to decompose in a landfill! If that’s not enough to shock you into making sustainable clothing choices, consider this: When some materials break down, they release toxic gases into the environment. That’s bad news for people, wildlife, and nature nearby!
When you choose to shop secondhand and upcycle your ” stuff” by donating to Goodwill, you’re giving new life to items that would otherwise end up in the landfill. There is no comparison “” it’s a better choice for our neighbors and the planet.
#2: Eliminate Factory Pollution
Experts say we’re producing more clothes and wearing them for a shorter length of time than ever before. That’s led to an unprecedented demand for ” fast fashion,” a $3 billion industry that creates trendy clothing at incredibly rapid rates and sells them for incredibly low prices.
Producing fast fashion clothing creates a huge amount of pollution. According to the Wall Street Journal, 80 billion garments are purchased each year. Most of these fast fashion clothing items are made of synthetic materials “” even plastic! These materials end up producing 35% of microplastics in the oceans and create carbon emissions.
When you thrift shop at Goodwill, you’re eliminating the need for new garments to be made. Instead, you’re reusing something that has already been created and has plenty of life left in it. Thrift shopping is not only a smarter option for the planet, but you’ll likely end up with a higher-quality garment.
#3: Support Charities That Do Good
Finally, the planet is a better place when we’re uplifting those around us. When you donate and shop at Goodwill stores near you, you’re supporting a nonprofit organization that’s committed to providing vocational services and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. There’s nothing more powerful for our communities than helping others live their best lives!
Supporting Goodwill is an easy way to take sustainable steps and help the planet. It may seem simple, but those small choices can make a big difference! Find your nearest Ohio Valley Goodwill store today and make thrifting part of your sustainable lifestyle.
