The Environmental Benefits of Embracing Pre-Loved Fashion

There are numerous environmental benefits to consider when we talk about opting for pre-loved clothing. The biggest umbrella benefit is that it decreases carbon emissions around the world, but there are so many more to consider, so let’s get into some benefits that you might not immediately think of when you think about this topic.

Less Textile Waste

Landfills around the world are getting piled high with textile waste. Illegal dumping is a notable problem in many countries, and this has obvious effects on the environment. While natural fabrics like cotton or wool can biodegrade, other textiles like polyester, rayon, and nylon will not break down over time.

Not only is this a good reason to shop second hand and prevent more clothing from going to landfills, but it’s also a key point to encourage you to purchase clothes made from natural fibres. That way, when the time does eventually come for it to be binned or recycled, it won’t linger for decades.

Fewer Resources Are Needed

Raw materials, energy, and water are all needed to manufacture new garments. As this continues, this can have a drastic impact on our world and the environment. From deforestation for farmland to energy production via the use of fossil fuels and using huge quantities of water when countries are experiencing droughts, the fashion industry is damaging the world as we know it.

By shopping second-hand, none of this is an issue. The garments are already created, and a lower demand for new clothes means that fewer new garments will be manufactured.

It Helps to Promote Ethical Consumption

Most, if not all of us, will be aware of the bad ethics that frequently go into the fashion industry. From workers not getting paid enough, to unpleasant and even dangerous working conditions, we’ve heard it all before – but what are we doing to stop it?

Supply and demand means that this can be an endless cycle if we continue living the way we have: buy clothes, wear them for a few weeks, buy more clothes, and so on. It isn’t just carbon emissions and the resources used that we need to consider, but the people making these items in unfair and dangerous situations.

Circular Fashion is Encouraged

Circular fashion is a fashion approach that focuses on reducing waste and maximising a garment’s lifespan, which is what pre-loved clothes are all about. The production of the item as well as where it will end up (donated, recycled, etc) are as important as each other, and when you focus on circular fashion, you can do a lot to remedy the current situation we’re seeing.

Local Businesses Are Supported

Shopping locally is great for the environment because it decreases the need for imported goods, which causes more CO2 emissions. When you shop local, you get to enjoy the benefits of everything that the surrounding area has to offer, and you can help small businesses stay alive.

We’ve all noticed in recent years that the high street is dying. With the economy what it is and all the additional challenges that business owners are facing, it makes sense to do our part where possible (and reasonable to do so) – and even better if we can save money while doing it, right?

You Can Find Hidden Gems

We’ve said it before, and we will say it again (and again, and again), second-hand clothes shops offer you the chance to find those one of a kind hidden gems that you will love for a lifetime. You can find something truly unique, whatever that might be, and it’s difficult to put a price on something like that.

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