Buying second-hand furniture and home accessories reduces our demand for new items while conserving natural resources. It also reduces the energy and pollution we produce by burning fuel and pesticides. New furniture manufacture is responsible for more than 100 times more greenhouse gas emissions than the production of second-hand furniture. Not to mention the money you can save!
Carbon emissions
Shopping second-hand is an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment at the same time. A recent report by Schibsted Media Group highlights the benefits of this activity. According to the report, second-hand shopping saved 16.3 million tons of carbon dioxide last year. This reduction is due to fewer products being produced and more items being reused.
Buying second-hand clothing is also a good way to help the environment. Not only does buying second-hand clothing help the environment, but it also helps support a good cause. In the fast-fashion age, where consumers are looking for the newest and cheapest things, thrift stores are struggling. Sadly, the low price tag can carry more weight than quality materials, so it’s vital to support these stores.
The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world. It contributes about ten per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. This amount is higher than that from all air and sea travel combined. It’s estimated that by 2030, the fashion industry will produce more than a quarter of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.
Shopping second-hand helps save raw materials. The Subito website alone has over 13 million unique users**. It’s important to note that the use of Subito also helps reduce the amount of steel used for construction, which is equal to 27623 km of railway track. In addition, 202 thousand tonnes of aluminium is saved. It is also a good way to reduce waste.
Purchasing second-hand clothing extends the life of your clothes. Most clothes are made overseas and sold in the USA. Production and transportation of clothes produces a lot of waste that ends up in landfill. It also prevents the production of new clothes, which is a big part of fast fashion.
Water consumption
Shopping second-hand for clothing and accessories can save you a lot of water. The production of new clothing requires a lot of water. The water required for one pair of jeans could sustain an individual for nine years. Furthermore, you can save more water by donating used clothes to a donation pick-up service.
Climate change
A recent study found that one in five U.S. consumers earns more than $100,000 a year and accounted for one-third of all household carbon emissions. This group is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, as it produces more goods and consumes more energy than the average U.S. consumer.
While new technology provides us with energy efficiency measures, consumption has outpaced these improvements. It was concluded that reducing consumption will be the key to combating climate change. It is estimated that 45 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the production of consumer goods. By choosing second-hand, you can save money and help the environment at the same time.
The production of new clothing contributes significantly to global climate change. Oxfam’s sustainability expert, Fee Gilfeather, says that carbon emissions from a single piece of clothing can be equivalent to flying 900 times around the world. Many chemicals and packaging are used in the production of new clothing, making it one of the most polluting industries in the world.
One of the ways to combat this problem is to buy second-hand clothing. This type of fashion is growing fast. In fact, the growth of consigned clothing has been 21 times faster than the growth in the wider retail industry. By buying second-hand, you will cut down on transport emissions, support local organisations, reduce the need for cheap labour and cut down on waste. Furthermore, you’ll be extending the lifespan of your clothes.
Saving money
Shopping second-hand can be one of the best ways to stretch your money, and the benefits are many. For starters, you’ll find that used items are usually less expensive than new products. This allows you to get more bang for your buck, and you’ll get better quality. You’ll also be saving the environment by not purchasing new products.
Another advantage of buying used is that you can avoid unnecessary packaging. Most new products come with packaging, and not all of it is recyclable. You’ll also avoid the mess and waste that comes with a new item. And second-hand items usually don’t require a crowbar to open them!
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