Earth day is right around the corner. Many choices we make impact the earth. Among those choices are what we opt to wear, and how and where we choose to shop. Fast fashion is damaging in so many ways. John Oliver covered it well:
I have long been a second hand shopper. I love a good thrift shop find! I try to shop local as much as possible. I prefer to try things on before purchasing. Before Covid-19, I had never considered buying clothing online. Let alone buying second hand online. This past year, I gave Thred Up a try and they have pleasantly surprised me!
Thread up says,
Thred Up says, "We're a little bit serious (because the planet) but also totally fun (because shopping!)" I agree! Starting with the impact of second hand clothing versus new items. Here are some important quotes from their site:
"New clothing production is hurting the planet. One new garment takes 77 gallons of water and creates 17 lbs of CO2e. Over 100B garments are produced each year, which is 2X more than 15 years ago"
"Perfectly good clothing is being discarded.1 in 2 people throw their clothes straight in the trash. 73% of apparel is sent to landfill or incinerated, 95% of which could be reused or recycled."
"Buying one used item reduces its carbon, waste, and water footprints by 82%."
Buying second hand has far reaching impacts. Choosing second hand is a something you can feel good about.
Next, Thred Up has a vast selection to choose from! When I say vast, I mean 35,000 brands. The prices are reasonable. They even have a children's section for moms on a budget. They also have a feature that allows you to limit your selection to your local warehouse. Selecting the closest warehouse can help decrease shipping emissions.
Getting your items:
I was thrilled when I received my first order in sustainable packaging. If you get any package you know how much wasteful, harmful packaging is usually included. Not the case with Thred Up!
What if something doesn't fit? Thred Up allows returns. Check their policy here. You can also order a Clean Out Kit to get some cash or online credit.