Should you donate clothes to thrift stores?

Thrifting has become an increasingly popular way to buy and get rid of clothes and has been touted as a more budget-conscious and sustainable option. However, the truth is more complicated than that. The Sum takes a closer look.

To Sum It Up

• The rise of fast fashion means that brands are churning out more clothes than ever before. The problem? Most items end up in landfills.

• Donating clothes to thrift stores has become a popular solution as opposed to simply throwing out clothes.

• However, experts warn that thrifting isn’t a miracle fix to the larger problem.

The Background

• In 2018, the world produced 17 million textiles, compared to just 2 million half a century earlier. That’s a lot of clothing and waste!

• Thrifting has become especially popular with Gen Z. In 2019, 40% of Gen Zers said they bought clothes secondhand.

• However, many of the clothes donated to thrift stores end up being disposed of anyway.

What’s Happening

• Clothing disposal sites are popping up in poorer parts of the U.S. as well as in low-income nations worldwide.

• Scientists warn that the fashion industry’s overproduction and carbon emissions are contributing significantly to climate change.

Why It Matters

• The continuous rise of clothing consumption could further accelerate climate change.

• Overconsumption can impact financial markets and lead to issues like inflation.

Sources

• Reuters: Height of fashion? Clothes mountains build up as recycling breaks down
• Popular Science: Thrift shopping is an environmental and ethical trap
• Discover: Just How Environmentally Friendly Is Thrifting?
• Berkeley Economic Review: Rise of Thrifting: Solution to Fast Fashion or Stealing from the Poor?
• Vox: How thrifting became problematic

READ MORE ABOUT THIS IN THE SUM

The Sum breaks down complex economic issues and how they impact your life in just a few minutes a day. Follow thesum.news on Instagram for the full story.

This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 4:00 AM with the headline "Should you donate clothes to thrift stores?."

The Sum

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The Sum breaks down complex economic issues and how they impact your life in just a few minutes a day. Follow @thesum.news on Instagram for the full story.