A Few (of the Infinite) Benefits of Buying Secondhand
A lot of people think buying secondhand is … well I’ve heard a lot of things. Unsanitary, even lowly or lacking in taste. Complicated. Smells weird. The assumption is that previously owned items have lived past their prime, and are better left discarded, or donated to those less fortunate. My Chinese friends have even said that taking possession of previously owned items can have bad consequences, putting you at risk of inheriting any bad energy expressed by the previous owner while using the item. I take all these comments (from friends, family, acquaintances) into consideration, usually nod, smile, agree, and then do my own thing anyway. I don’t see the point in defending my consumer methods in my daily life. So much information about the sources and consequences of “fast fashion” has been readily apparent to the public for decades.
However, once I started receiving questions about special items I’d picked up for a few crowns, it opened the door to talking about my shopping methods, and my family and I started the discussion about zero waste living.
Tag-less thrift shops and the occasional opportunity to haggle, these were the best zero waste reasonings that I could connect to the lifestyle before reading Bea Johnson’s book. Shopping secondhand was never something I imagined could also impact my long-term health and environmental legacy.
Shopping for your possessions secondhand is an easy way to boycott industry practices with which you don’t agree, as well as bring many benefits to your personal health, creativity, sense of value and wallet.
· When you buy used/secondhand products, you are catching a usable product, an energy-intensive resource, on its way to the landfill and taking it out of the waste stream. When you buy things you need without creating a demand for a replacement, you have essentially prevented literal waste production.
· Buying clothing secondhand has the major advantage of protecting the consumer from the factory fumes present in all newly-produced clothes. When you buy new clothes from the retailer, every piece of clothing is wrapped in a large individual plastic bag before it is put on the rack. Not only is that a lot of plastic waste, but the wrapping seals in the toxic factory fumes, which are present in every garment on the store rack. These fumes come from the chemicals that protect the clothes from insect contamination and mold, among other things, while in transport to the retailers. And if the clothes are made from synthetic materials, such as polyester (AKA plastic fabric), the chemical impact on the consumer is even stronger. Though cotton garments are also at high risk of contamination (bleach and pesticides are present in most industrial cottons). Even after several washes, the fumes can take months to fade out of the new garments, all the while being absorbed by us, the consumers. Buying secondhand helps us to avoid these fumes, as the used clothes have had plenty of time to air. So ditch the plastic, ditch the factory fumes, and forget creating a demand for more polyester crap. If you prefer the smell of new items to the occasional funk of a thrift store, I suggest washing all secondhand items before use. I like to add a few drops of lavender oil to my clothing detergent, mostly because it feels so decadent, but also for the antibacterial qualities.
· And speaking of fashion! It’s always incredibly satisfying to find a gem of an item in a sea of sporadically organized chaos, like a thrift store. And if you’re concerned about the quality of clothing, keep in mind that sold or donated clothing have stood the test of time and proven their durability. Finding a gorgeous durable vintage item in a thrift store is sure to outlive the poor-quality fast fashion items of retailers such as Zara, H&M, Mango and C&A. Avoiding “fast fashion” retailers takes away the readily available displays that picks an outfit for you, true, but also teaches you a lot about recognizing the quality and durability of an item. When you think about it, it’s more difficult to sell an item that falls apart after several washes. Contrarily, a used item can vouch for its own durability. Items such as leather, quality cottons, linens, or silk can all last for many years with proper care, reducing the need to replace them once they’ve started to fall apart. Choose your materials carefully, make sure the item is in good condition, that everything (zippers, elastic, buttons) all work, and that you will love this item tomorrow as much as you do in the shop.
· Obviously, going for previously owned items is less expensive. A lot less. And if you’re lucky enough to find some quality swag, brand name or not, it’s like winning a treasure hunt. Additionally, investing in quality items that need to be replaced less often than seasonal merchandise accumulates welcome savings, and reduces impulse shopping.
Your friends and family are likely to catch onto the benefits of buying previously used items once you show them that it is possible to do it and still be cool. Your wardrobe will be unique and creative, proving that style comes from within and lasts a lifetime, while retail fashion comes and goes.
