How Second-Hand Shopping Can Help The Planet

This blog post was generously provided by the team at Max Pawn in Las Vegas, Nevada, and reprinted here with permission. Be sure to reach out to Michael Mack if you have questions about this article! 

In today’s day and age, times are changing and that means more and more people are looking at their eco-footprint. The good news is that it’s totally possible to play a part in making a positive environmental impact while hitting the latest fashion trends. Plus you can keep your costs low. Did I mention you can also support local businesses in the process? Here’s how;

Why you should do more second-hand shopping

Second-hand shopping is a great way to help the plant and save money. When the items are certifiably sourced you can find great steals in near perfect condition. You can find brands like Nike, Michael Kors, and Louis Vuitton. Plus it’s a great way to keep textile waste down and keep trash out of landfills.

Thrifting is good for the environment

Thrifting is better for the environment because it helps reduce pollution and waste. On average Americans throw away around 81 pounds of clothes per year! That adds up to 26 billion pounds of clothing going into landfills. When you thrift you’re recycling and reducing your carbon footprint. Giving used items new life rescues them from those landfills by keeping them in circulation. And if you think about it, it’s a gift that keeps on giving. When you’re ready for an upgrade you can sell your items or gift them to someone you love.

It’s more sustainable

There’s a lot of water and chemicals that go into the making of our stuff. When I say a lot, I mean 1,800 gallons of water to make one pair of blue jeans. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The production of clothes, shoes, handbags and so much more is causing a major environmental impact. Shoes and handbags mostly depend on leather. And well, cattle ranching consumes mass quantities of natural resources – from land to water. Traditional leather tanning uses heavy metals which are released into our environment and we end up breathing them in. Most notably chromium. PVC is another favored component in bag-making and its a major environmental contaminant. The resulting waste is a health hazard all on its own.

If we recycle our clothes and accessories that means we’re less likely to be paying the price in the future. You’re helping the environment by buying second-hand and participating in re-sale/donating.

It helps your community

For people who just can’t afford luxury items or even a good suit for a job interview, secondhand items can provide lower-income families the ability to get the items they need and even be able to spoil themselves a little in some situations.

Even if you’re well off, you might have to pinch pennies at least one time in your life. Shopping second-hand allows you to stay up to date on the trends you love while keeping money in your pocket.

Support local business

When you shop from local pawn shops or thrift stores you help support local businesses. Local businesses care about and are invested in the well-being of your community and its future. They’re more accountable to their local communities and donate more money to non-profits. Supporting local businesses is good for the environment because they often have a smaller carbon footprint than larger companies.

Shopping eco-chic

If you think that buying secondhand doesn’t change anything; it does. It directly helps to keep the recycling system in place. Gives people with little money an opportunity to have access to what they need by keeping costs low. If you think buying secondhand isn’t fashionable; it is. You can find anything from Levi denim jeans to Birkin bags and even laptops in pawn shops and thrift stores. This new revolution of buying and selling can not only keep you fashionable but keep money in your pocket and help generations to come!