Tag: consignmentshop

Community · Thrifting

The Effects of Clothing Waste on the Economy

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At Diversity Consignment, we recognize that the fashion industry is one of the largest industries in the world, generating trillions of dollars in revenue each year. However, with the rise of fast fashion and the throwaway culture that comes with it, the amount of clothing waste being produced is reaching alarming levels. This waste has a significant impact on the economy, affecting everything from the environment to job creation. Within this article, we hope to shed some light on the subject of waste and offer some new insights to the potential harmful effects waste poses in a broader sense, the economy.

The first major impact of clothing waste on the economy is the cost of disposal. Clothing that is no longer wearable ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. In the meantime, it takes up valuable space that could be used for other purposes. The cost of managing and maintaining landfills is significant, and the more clothing waste that is produced, the higher these costs become.

Another economic impact of clothing waste is the lost revenue that comes from discarded clothing. When clothing is thrown away, it is no longer available to be sold, which means that potential revenue is lost. This can be particularly problematic for small businesses, which may not have the financial resources to withstand the loss of revenue.

Additionally, the production of clothing waste has a negative impact on the environment, which can have ripple effects on the economy. The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, with the production of cotton, for example, requiring significant amounts of water and pesticides. When clothing is thrown away, it contributes to this pollution and can lead to further environmental degradation.

The environmental impact of clothing waste can also have indirect economic costs. For example, air and water pollution can lead to increased healthcare costs as people become sick from exposure to toxins. It can also lead to the loss of jobs in industries that rely on clean water and air, such as fishing or tourism.

In addition to these economic impacts, clothing waste can also have social costs. For example, in many developing countries, discarded clothing from developed countries is sold or donated. While this can provide access to clothing for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise, it can also have negative impacts on local textile industries, which are unable to compete with the low prices of imported clothing. This can lead to job losses and decreased economic activity in these industries.

There are also economic opportunities that are lost when clothing is thrown away. For example, there is a growing market for recycled textiles, with companies looking to create new clothing and other products from discarded materials. When clothing is thrown away, these opportunities for recycling and upcycling are lost.

Overall, the impact of clothing waste on the economy is significant and far-reaching. From the direct costs of disposal to the indirect costs of environmental and social degradation, the negative impacts of clothing waste are felt across a wide range of industries and sectors. However, there are also opportunities for innovation and growth in the emerging market for recycled textiles and sustainable fashion. By taking steps to reduce clothing waste and promote more sustainable practices in the fashion industry, we can create a more resilient and sustainable economy for the future.

Thank you so much for reading!

-Ian Drake, Diversity Consignment

Why You Should Give Used Gifts
Business · Community · Thrifting

Why You Should Give Used Gifts

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Now, obviously, certain used gifts are not for everyone. Giving a pair of worn-out shoes that your toe sticks out of the front to your new fiancé would probably not be the best idea. Some things can be more of a liability than an act of kindness. Another example could be gifting a car that is missing an engine, unless it’s something super-rare and you can work on it yourself and you enjoy that type of thing.

Many people will scoff at the idea of receiving a used gift as a present, and that is fine if you feel like you’re “above” second-hand gifts. I’m not here to convince you that you’re not bougey, I’m just here to explain some of the benefits of gifting and receiving used items.

Some of the topics I will cover in this article are the benefits to gift used items, some of the trends we have been seeing, and where the future of gift-giving may be trending.

The Benefits of Gifting Used or Second-Hand.

The stigma of the embarrassment in gifting used or second-hand gifts can finally end. There are so many benefits to gifting used gifts!

  • You can save money: The holidays are often-times traps by corporate America to force us to buy, buy, buy. No doubt we can give gifts if we have the resources to do so, but why does it all have to be so new and expensive? It doesn’t when you shop second hand! Imagine paying anywhere between 50% to 90% off! That’s more money to use for the things you love, and the recipient will appreciate the fact that you thought of them (If they truly care about you).
  • You can get awesome, unique stuff: This holds true for every category. What they serve you in the retail stores is just what they think you’re interested in today. Imagine opening up a world where the interests of today can be expanded to the interests of all-time. Let me explain. In other words, you can find treasures that were beloved from all eras. Imagine finding a super-cool board game only produced for a few years 30 years ago! If your partner loves board games, that could be an awesome, unique gift for them.
  • Many times, you are supporting a small business or benefitting charities: Most of the second-hand industry is run by local re-sellers or charity organizations. Imagine the impact you can make on the many people that you shop from by choosing to buy used. In this day and age where everything is turning into a giant corporate-driven mess, you can pledge your allegiance to what you believe in by supporting local, sustainable shops.
  • It’s wicked sustainable: As if you didn’t need any more quality reasons to gift second-hand gifts. By gifting used cars, you’re keeping them out of car graveyards, and by gifting used clothing you are keeping them out of landfills. Keeping things in economic motion can have a huge impact on the planet we all share!

The Stigma

No one is quite sure where the negative stigma associated with gifting used items came from but it’s time to end it. If you spent the time researching and finding a second-hand gift for someone, they should appreciate it or else you should dump them as a friend. They’re not really worth your time or effort.

In no way, shape, or form should you be embarrassed about giving or receiving a second-hand treasure. Like I said, there is a lot more effort and thought behind the gift and is often times more personalized.

A lot of the time while thrifting you’ll see something very unique, and that person that it’s perfect for just pops into your head! What’s more thoughtful than that!? The answer is nothing.

Here at Diversity Consignment, we see and hear this happening all the time. “OMG so and so would love that!” “I’m buying it just for them!” There’s nothing more beautiful to hear.

Giving a gift card to a second-hand store can also be a sneaky way of giving something new and used at the same time. Try it out.

The Future of Gift-Giving

As time goes by, more and more people are shopping more sustainably. This is true especially for personal shopping, but also moving in the same direction for gift-giving during the holiday seasons.

More emphasis on sustainability and more awareness on the benefits of shopping used items means a better world for us all to enjoy. I say the future holds a reversal on the stigma. Let’s gooooo!

-Ian Drake, Diversity Consignment

Community · Thrifting

Is Thrifting for Clothing a Good Idea?

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Sounds pretty generic right? The basic answer I can give is that it depends on your intent and the way you go about thrifting.

Should I be thrifting more? What positive effects does thrifting have on the environment? I hate the idea of buying used stuff! Thrifting definitely has some pro’s and con’s you may never have even thought about.

In today’s article titled “Is Thrifting for Clothing a Good Idea” I am going to lay out some parts of thrifting that you may never have considered. We will cover thrifting to sell, the impacts of “thrift store depletion” and the effect thrifting has on the planet.

If you’re new to the page and want to get an idea on the basics of thrifting and how to get started as a thrifter, I suggest you read our previous article called “How to Get Started as a Thrifter.“

Is Thrifting-to-Sell a Good Idea?

Thrifting-to-sell has seriously taken off in the years since I began my personal consignment businesses. Early on, it was not very common to see younger people strolling through the door looking for “grail” pieces at “flip-worthy” prices. Now, more and more, we see this as an everyday occurrence. But the question is this; is thrifting-to-sell a good idea?

My answer to that question is yes, if done properly and mindfully. Thrifting-to-sell can be a great way to make money, recycle, curate, and even upcycle!

Upcycle: reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

The danger can come into play when you are not being mindful about what you are sourcing. An example of what I mean would be sourcing only plus-sized or extra small clothing for upcycling because you get more fabric for what you spend. This results in leaving minimal to no plus-sized or extra small clothing for people who shop at discounted places for themselves to wear. Of course, this is not being mindful, and has in fact, created a huge lack of plus-sized clothing being available to those that need it today.

Another example of not being mindful while thrifting-to-sell would be wiping out a store of all of the bottom priced inventory. Yes, I know we are trying to make a buck by thrifting-to-sell but you have to be aware of the fact that people rely on the thrift stores to buy clothing for themselves and for their families.

The Effects of Thrift Store Depletion

This may seem obvious to a lot of people but for those who don’t know what I mean, I will explain.

As covered in the previous chapter, thrifting-to-sell is probably the main contributor to thrift store depletion. Thrift store depletion is the term I will use for when a thrift store has been depleted of a large amount of any given category. It could be plus-sizes, all bottom priced items, or even a certain category of clothing.

The major downside to thrift store depletion is that it creates a void for the people who rely on the thrift stores to clothe themselves or their families. I know you may be thinking “why would someone need a 1992 Nirvana concert tee?” Well, the answer is simple; it’s really just a t-shirt to everyone except yourself and those willing to spend more on it.

More and more frequently are instances coming up in which people can’t find anything good or quality at thrift stores. The quality garments are being scooped away as soon as they hit the rolling racks and the only things left are fast fashion products or ugly dresses in sizes small and medium. It’s really not fair to those in need and it’s starting to get a little out of hand.

Is Thrifting Good for the Planet?

Again, my answer to this question is going to be yes; thrifting is good for the planet.

It keeps clothing from being tossed away into the garbage and ultimately ending in landfills where it is either burned or buried. It also slows down the production of fast-fashion brands pounding out millions of articles of clothing by the minute to the outstretched hands of over-consumers.

The life cycle of the clothing alternatively to thrifting is not a pretty one. Imagine a world where clothing is being produced in under-paid labor facilities, worn a few times, and then tossed into the garbage to rot.

The charity thrift stores that allow us to thrift also donate a portion of the proceeds they make to worthy causes. It is good to support the thrift stores regardless of your intent, but don’t take advantage of them.

Conclusion

To be perfectly honest with you I am getting sick of the question “why do they need an Armani jacket?” Well Mr. or Miss “privileged”; they don’t, and neither do you. Nobody needs an “Armani jacket” but some people simply need a jacket and could care less what the brand is. It’s not like the person who donated it brought it in for only you to take. In fact, if they wanted something for it other than good faith, they would have brought it to a different type of store!

end rant.

The point is this; thrifting is a good idea. You just need to be mindful about certain things. Thrifting-to-sell is totally fine, the money you spent goes to a good cause. You can make some money while supporting a good cause! Thrifting for curation of your closet is fine as well; you can get some dope $h!t you normally wouldn’t be able to afford! Thrifting to upcycle is also a sustainable way to make new creations!

Just remember, everything in moderation. There are people who would be better off if you didn’t clear our all the plus sizes or extra small sizes to feed your upcycling machine and people who need clothing to be priced affordably to support their families. Keep it to what you need or look towards a less harmful supplier of goods.

-Much love, Ian Drake – Diversity Consignment