In the past, thrifting garnered a bad reputation among people of older generations for being a cheap alternative for individuals who aren’t able to afford brand name clothing. More recently, thrifting has become a trendy way to buy cute vintage clothes. While buying clothes from thrift stores may leave you with a questionable smell at first, it’s truly an eco-friendly and cost-efficient way to buy clothing.

Compared to shopping fast fashion sites, thrifting has many more benefits to it. Fast fashion wastes great amounts of fabric and packing materials. Much of it is thrown away after just a few wears due to being poorly made, while clothing that is given to thrift stores has likely already withstood many years without being damaged. Naturally, thrift store items are likely more durable.

However, of course, thrifting can be more difficult for some. Finding the correct size can be tricky and not everyone lives close to thrift stores with low prices.

Still, thrifting is sustainable and environmentally-conscious. Compared to fast fashion sites and retail stores, thrift store clothing requires a lot less energy and plastic waste. It also requires a lot less non-renewable resources since thrift store clothing will not need to be transported across the country just to come into the hands of the buyer. Thrifting is a much greener option since it doesn’t encourage the creation of any new materials. According to Goodwill’s website, donated goods have the power to change lives, strengthen communities and create a healthier environment.

In addition to these benefits, when buyers choose to thrift, fewer chemical pollutants are put out into the environment. These chemicals can be incredibly harmful to humans and animals due to bioaccumulation (when harmful pollutants enter one’s food chain).

Thrifting isn’t just ethical from a shopping and environmental standpoint, but it’s also a way to give back to the community. Donating clothing to local thrift stores and charities helps keep them out of harmful landfills and into the hands of someone who really needs them. For many low-income families, thrifting is one of the only ways for them to get by. While it’s a trendy way to buy clothing, it’s also important to realize the privilege that comes with thrift shopping.

Overall, shopping second-hand is a feasible way to save money and save the environment. It’s a way to help so that unnecessary waste is not put out into the planet.

Good news for introverted people, thrifting does not have to be done in-stores. There are plenty of online thrifting sites that carry plenty of cheap and stylish clothes. Online stores such as Depop, ThredUp and GoodFair are good options so that fast fashion sites can be avoided.

Ultimately, thrift shopping is a socially and environmentally conscious way to get new and funky outfits and is a pretty fun activity to do with friends.