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Can Secondhand Fashion Save the Planet?

Updated: Apr 9

Secondhand fashion isn’t just about vintage styles or saving money—it’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about solutions to fashion’s waste problem. But can buying used clothes really make a difference in a world dominated by fast fashion?


Let’s explore how secondhand clothing stacks up when it comes to environmental impact—and whether it really has the power to shift the tide on textile waste and climate change.



The Environmental Cost of New Clothing

Before diving into secondhand fashion, it’s important to understand what we’re up against. Every new garment we buy has an environmental footprint—often bigger than we realize.


  • 2,700 liters of water are used to make just one cotton t-shirt.

  • A single pair of jeans can generate 33.4 kg of CO₂, equal to driving about 80 miles.

  • Global fashion production accounts for up to 10% of total carbon emissions—more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.


So, buying less—or not buying new at all—can help reduce these numbers. That’s where secondhand fashion comes in.


What Is Secondhand Fashion, Exactly?

Secondhand fashion includes:

  • Thrift store finds

  • Vintage shops

  • Online resale platforms like ThredUp, Depop, or Poshmark

  • Clothing swaps

  • Hand-me-downs


Instead of producing new clothes, secondhand fashion gives existing garments another life—keeping them out of landfills and reducing the need for new manufacturing.


Secondhand Fashion by the Numbers

Here's a quick breakdown of how secondhand shopping makes a difference:

Impact Area

Traditional Fashion

Secondhand Fashion

Water Use

High (esp. cotton)

No new water required

CO₂ Emissions

High

82% less per garment

Waste Generation

Tons go to landfill

Diverts clothing from waste

Resource Extraction

New fabrics, dyes, etc.

None

According to ThredUp’s 2023 Resale Report:

  • If everyone bought just 1 used item instead of new in 2023, it would save 2.6 billion pounds of CO₂—equivalent to taking half a million cars off the road for a year.

  • The secondhand market is expected to double by 2027, reaching over $70 billion globally.


Clothing Waste: A Growing Problem

In the U.S. alone, 85% of discarded clothes end up in landfills or incinerators. And globally, less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new clothes. The rest? Either dumped, burned, or shipped to places like Ghana and Chile, where local waste systems can’t handle the load.

Secondhand fashion helps cut into that waste stream. Buying used delays or even prevents a garment from becoming trash. It also reduces demand for new clothing, which in turn lowers production pressure.


Is Secondhand Always Sustainable?

Not necessarily. While secondhand fashion is much better for the environment, it still depends on how we engage with it.


Some potential challenges:

  • Overconsumption: Buying tons of secondhand clothes you don’t wear still creates waste.

  • Shipping Emissions: Online resale platforms often rely on individual shipping, which adds carbon emissions.

  • Gentrification of Thrift: As secondhand becomes trendy, prices can rise, making it harder for low-income communities to access affordable clothing.


Still, these issues are small compared to the massive footprint of producing new clothes. When done mindfully, secondhand fashion remains a strong alternative.


Real-Life Impact: Case Study – The UK

In the UK, secondhand clothing purchases reduced the equivalent of 1.5 million tons of CO₂ in 2022 alone, according to WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).

They also found that extending the life of clothes by just nine extra months can reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints by 20–30%.


What You Can Do

Secondhand fashion is powerful—but only if more people take part. Here’s how to make a real impact:

  • Buy less, wear more: Use what you have before buying more—even secondhand.

  • Swap with friends: It’s free, fun, and waste-free.

  • Support local thrift stores: Keeps clothes in circulation within your community.

  • Resell or donate properly: Make sure items are clean and in good shape. Not all donations get used.

  • Care for your clothes: The longer they last, the less you need to replace.


So, Can Secondhand Fashion Save the Planet?

It’s not a silver bullet—but it’s a major step in the right direction. By reducing demand for new clothing and keeping garments out of landfills, secondhand fashion helps slow the cycle of waste and pollution caused by fast fashion.


If enough people embrace it—and do so thoughtfully—it can absolutely be part of a more sustainable fashion future.

 
 
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