Thrifting is the practice of buying second-hand items, such as clothing, shoes, or household goods, at affordable prices.

Besides being budget-friendly, thrifting also benefits the environment. According to GoodStats, textile waste makes up 2.77% of the total national waste. In 2023, national waste production nearly reached 70 million tons.

Purchasing second-hand clothing helps reduce textile waste and supports a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle. Read on about thrifting and its environmental benefits below!

What Is Thrifting?

As mentioned before, thrifting refers to purchasing second-hand items that are still in good condition. A wide range of products in thrifting includes clothing, shoes, bags, accessories, and home decor. This activity has recently gained popularity as more people seek high-quality items at affordable prices.

Budget friendliness aside, thrifting offers the chance to discover unique and rare fashion pieces that are not typically available in most general stores. Additionally, thrifting helps reduce textile waste, which remains a major issue in the fashion industry.

Thrifting Tips

Before you start thrifting, there are a few important things to keep in mind, from choosing the right store to carefully inspecting the items. Here’s a complete guide to help you thrift smartly:

1. Research the Store

Before going thrifting, take some time to research the thrift shop you plan to visit. Whether it’s an online or offline store, you can start by looking for recommendations on social media, e-commerce platforms, or asking friends who have shopped there. This will give you a better idea of what to expect.

Checking customer reviews is also important. Positive reviews can give insight into the quality of the items, the store’s service, and its overall reliability.

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2. Compare Prices

Before purchasing thrifted items, compare prices across different stores. This will help ensure you get the best deal that fits your budget.

However, don’t just focus on price—pay attention to the quality of the items. Make sure they are still in good, usable condition, not overly damaged, and suit your needs. This way, you can find great thrifted items without any regrets.

3. Inspect Items Carefully

Before finishing the purchase, examine the item thoroughly to avoid any regrets later. Check the stitching, fabric, and other details, to ensure it is still in good condition.

Keep in mind that not all thrifted items are flawless. Some may have minor imperfections, but as long as they don’t affect the overall look or function, they can still be a great find. It’s always a good idea to ask the seller for details about the item before buying.

Once you’ve made your purchase, be sure to clean it properly. Wash the item with antiseptic liquid or detergent to remove any dirt or bacteria, ensuring it’s hygienic and safe to use.

Benefits of Thrifting for the Environment and Finances

Thrifting offers multiple benefits, such as reducing waste production and supporting local businesses and communities. Read on to explore more about how thrifting positively impacts your life:

1. Reducing Waste Production

The fashion industry generates a significant amount of waste, which ends up in landfills and harms the environment. Synthetic materials, which make many clothing items, take years to decompose, contributing to long-term pollution.

If this issue persists, textile waste will accumulate and worsen environmental problems. By thrifting, you help reduce textile waste by giving second-hand clothing a new life instead of letting it go to waste.

2. Minimizing Chemical and Carbon Pollution

Textile production often involves pesticides, chemicals, and dyes that can harm the environment. Many factories also dispose of waste improperly, polluting land and water sources.

Thrifting helps reduce the demand for new clothing production, which consumes large amounts of materials and energy. Since second-hand clothes have already been manufactured, their carbon footprint is lower than newly produced garments. This makes thrifting a more environmentally friendly choice.

Read also: 5 Ways of Decluttering Clothes, Stop Wasting Clothes!

3. Saving Water

Clothing production requires a massive amount of water. For example, producing a single cotton shirt takes over 700 gallons—more than what an average person consumes in three years. By thrifting, you help reduce the demand for new clothing production, ultimately conserving water resources.

4. More Affordable

As mentioned earlier, thrifted items are generally more affordable. Plus, you can find a variety of styles, depending on how you mix and match them.

Thrifting helps you spend less on new clothes, effectively saving money and allocating some to support environmental initiatives—contributing to a healthier planet.

5. Supporting Local Businesses and Communities

Thrifting has evolved into a business opportunity and a way to support local communities. When you buy second-hand items from local thrift stores or community-run shops, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but also contribute to the livelihood of small businesses and individuals.

In turn, this strengthens community connections, boosts the local economy, and optimizes environmental conservation efforts.

Now that you understand the concept of thrifting, including its financial and environmental benefits, implementing this lifestyle can help you save money while contributing to the environmental cause.

Besides thrifting, there are many other ways to help protect the environment, one of which is by joining Indonesia Asri. This program is part of Chandra Asri Group’s commitment to environmental conservation, offering exciting activities and challenges through #SiPalingSustainable.

Participating in this program allows you to adopt eco-friendly habits, such as choosing thrifted clothes over fast fashion to help reduce textile waste. Not only does the effort benefit the environment, but you also have the chance to win attractive prizes!

Ready to become part of Warga Asri? Join us now and take an active role in preserving the earth. Visit our website for more details!

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