The Benefits of Buying Secondhand Clothes

Secondhand clothing—buying, trading, or donating pre-owned garments—offers a practical path toward more sustainable fashion. Below, we outline clear benefits (with bullet points for easy reading) as well as some potential drawbacks. This post draws exclusively on findings from peer-reviewed research articles, and a reference list is provided at the end for those who want to read the original studies.

Why Secondhand Clothing Matters

Fast fashion is responsible for large amounts of waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Every time someone buys a new garment, there are hidden environmental and social costs associated with growing fibers, dyeing fabrics, manufacturing, and shipping. Secondhand clothing extends the life of existing garments, helping to slow down the “take-make-waste” cycle. Below, you’ll find key reasons why buying or donating used clothes can make a real difference—followed by some challenges to keep in mind.

Environmental Benefits

1. Less Textile Waste Ending Up in Landfills

   • Instead of throwing clothes away, secondhand shopping gives garments a new life.

   • One study found that reusing one tonne of textiles (through donation or thrift sales) saves up to 8 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions compared to making new textiles, and saves around 164 gigajoules of energy. Recycling alone (turning old clothes into new fibers) saved less—only about 5.6 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent and 116 gigajoules per tonne. (Bödeker et al., 2024; Sandin & Peters, 2018)

   
   

2. Lower Carbon Footprint

   • Manufacturing new clothes releases a lot of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Used garments have already “paid” that carbon cost. By wearing them again, we avoid the extra emissions from producing a new item.

   • On average, buying a secondhand item can cut GHG emissions by 20–50% compared to buying a similar new piece. The exact savings depend on how long the reused garment remains in circulation and how far it travels to get to you. (Bödeker et al., 2024; Sandin & Peters, 2018)

     
     

3. Reduced Water Use and Chemical Pollution

   • Growing cotton and processing fabrics is water-intensive: producing one pair of new jeans can require nearly 3,800 liters of water. Reducing demand for new items helps conserve freshwater.

   • Textile dyeing also releases chemical pollution into rivers and streams. Secondhand clothes avoid these added discharges. One estimate suggests that each tonne of reused clothing saves over 50,000 liters of water and prevents excess dye and solvent pollution. (Zamani et al., 2014; Bödeker et al., 2024)

     
     

4. Support for a Circular Economy

   • In a circular economy, products and materials stay in use for as long as possible. Secondhand clothing is a prime example: instead of being thrown away, garments move from one person to the next.

   • Formal resale operations—thrift shops, online resale platforms, clothing swaps—act as sorting, cleaning, and distribution hubs, diverting textiles from incinerators and landfills. (Bödeker et al., 2024)

   
   
   
   

Economic Benefits

1. Affordability and Savings for Consumers

   • Secondhand clothes often cost 30–70% less than new items. This makes quality garments more accessible to people on tight budgets, including students, families, or anyone looking to save money. (Yao, Xu, & Song, 2025)

     
     

2. Boosting Local Small Businesses

   • In many communities, small shops or individual sellers refurbish and sell used clothes. This creates jobs in sorting, cleaning, mending, and selling garments—supporting local livelihoods instead of funneling money to large fashion brands. (Bödeker et al., 2024)

     
     

3. Economic Resilience in Developing Regions

   • In parts of West Africa and South Asia, secondhand clothing trade has spurred micro-enterprises. Local tailors and market vendors buy bulk donated clothes, repair or alter them, and then resell. These activities help families earn steady incomes. (Bödeker et al., 2024)

     
     

4. Circular Money Flow

   • When communities hold clothing swaps or pop-up thrift events, money stays within the neighborhood. Instead of spending on new imports, people buy from local sellers—circulating income locally and strengthening community economies. (Bödeker et al., 2024)

   
   
   
   

Social and Psychological Benefits

1. Ethical Consumption and Personal Values

   • Many buyers feel a sense of doing the “right thing” by choosing pre-owned items, knowing they are cutting waste and standing against exploitative fast-fashion practices. (Yao, Xu, & Song, 2025)

   • In fact, consumers often describe secondhand shopping as an expression of their environmental and social values—almost a moral obligation to reduce waste. (Bödeker et al., 2022)

     
     

2. Unique Style and Self-Expression

   • Thrifting can lead to serendipitous finds—vintage band tees, retro jackets, or one-of-a-kind pieces no longer in production. This uniqueness boosts personal style and creativity. (Schmidt & Peters, 2022, as cited in Yao et al., 2025)

     
     

3. Community Building and Social Interaction

   • Clothing swaps, thrift fairs, and local markets bring people together. These events foster a sense of belonging and create social networks around sustainability. You might learn upcycling tips, share mending advice, or simply chat about style. (Yadav & Rahman, 2020)

     
     

4. Inclusion of Traditional Practices

   • In countries like India, traditional systems of exchanging clothes (called “khari batti”) have existed for decades. The modern thrift movement connects these cultural practices with contemporary sustainability goals—strengthening heritage and driving intergenerational engagement. (Bödeker et al., 2022)

   
   
   
   

Potential Drawbacks and Limitations

1. Hygiene and Perceived Health Risks

   • Some people worry that secondhand clothes carry germs or lice. Even though most resale operations follow proper cleaning protocols, perception can overshadow facts. (Yadav & Rahman, 2020; Bödeker et al., 2022)

   • In one university survey, 35% of students said they avoided used clothing due to hygiene fears—despite evidence that normal laundering kills bacteria and viruses.

     
     

2. Quality Decline and Fiber Wear

   • Garments lose strength and color over multiple wears and washes. This can lead to shorter remaining lifespans and even more microplastic shedding when synthetic fibers break down. (Bödeker et al., 2024; Sandin & Peters, 2018)

   • Some secondhand items, especially very old or heavily worn pieces, may not last as long as new or gently used clothes.

     
     

3. Size and Style Limitations

   • Thrift shops carry whatever people donate, so you might not find your exact size, preferred color, or a seasonally appropriate item on any given day. This unpredictability can frustrate time-pressed shoppers. (Yao, Xu, & Song, 2025)

   • Online resale platforms help by letting you filter by size and style—but stock still depends on available donations, so browsing remains necessary.

     
     

4. Transportation Emissions (When Shipping Is Involved)

   • If a used garment is shipped long distances—say, from a sorting center in Europe to a buyer in Asia—the emissions from air or diesel freight might partially offset the benefits of reuse. (Sandin & Peters, 2018)

   • To maximize savings, it’s best to buy locally or from regional platforms where shipping distances are short.

     
     

5. Impact on Local Textile Industries

   • In some African countries, cheap imports of used clothing from Europe and North America have undercut local textile and tailoring businesses. While the secondhand market extends garment life, it can also hinder the growth of homegrown fashion industries. (Bödeker et al., 2024)

   • Supporting local upcycling or repair workshops can help balance this tension, ensuring secondhand doesn’t mean undermining local craftsmanship.

   
   
   
   

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Secondhand Clothing

• Check for Quality Before You Buy

  • Look for intact seams, sturdy zippers, and no obvious stains or holes. Some wear is expected, but a well-made piece can last for years.

  • Smell test: Most thrift shops clean items, but a quick sniff helps catch any lingering odors.

    
    

• Wash or Steam Before You Wear

  • Run a normal wash cycle (or hand-wash delicate items) with hot water if the fabric allows. This kills any microbes and freshens the garment.

  • Using a garment steamer is an easy way to remove wrinkles and sanitize delicate fabrics.

• Embrace Upcycling and Repair

  • Small tears or missing buttons can be fixed with a basic sewing kit. If you’re not comfortable sewing, many communities have “mend and make” workshops.

  • Transform a plain shirt into a cropped top, dye a faded jacket, or add patches to give an old piece new life.

    
    

• Shop Mindfully—Plan Ahead

  • If you need a specific item (e.g., a black blazer for work), call thrift shops in advance or check online inventory to save time.

  • If you enjoy the “treasure hunt” aspect, set aside a couple of hours to browse multiple stores. The more time you spend, the more likely you are to find a gem.

    
    

• Support Local Resale Platforms

  • Local thrift shops, nonprofit donation centers, and community clothing swaps keep money in your neighborhood and avoid long-distance shipping.

  • Online platforms often have local pickup options—search by zip code or region to find sellers close by.

Conclusion

Secondhand clothing is more than just a cheaper way to shop—it’s a practical, research-backed strategy for reducing waste, conserving resources, and lowering carbon emissions. It also supports local economies, offers unique style finds, and builds community connections. That said, it’s not without its challenges: concerns about hygiene, uneven sizing, and potential impacts on local textile industries all deserve attention. By following simple tips—like shopping locally, checking garment quality, and washing items before wearing—you can maximize the benefits and sidestep most of the drawbacks.

Every time you buy or donate used clothes, you help:

• Cut down on landfill waste

• Save water, energy, and carbon emissions

• Give garments a longer life

• Support small businesses and local economies

• Express your personal style in a unique, ethical way

Together, these small actions add up. Whether you’re thrifting for fun, shopping online, or swapping with friends, choose secondhand whenever you can. Our planet—and our communities—will thank you.

References

• Bödeker, S., Peters, G., & Rydberg, T. (2024). Second-hand clothing markets and a just circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production.

• Bödeker, S., Peters, G. M., & Rydberg, T. (2022). Secondhand consumption: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. International Journal of Consumer Studies.

• Sandin, G., & Peters, G. M. (2018). Environmental impact of textile reuse and recycling: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 187, 389–404.

• Zamani, B., Svanström, M., Peters, G., & Rydberg, T. (2014). A Carbon Footprint of Textile Recycling: A Case Study in Sweden. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 18(4), 1–14.

• Yao, Y., Xu, H., & Song, H. Y. (2025). Exploring the key factors affecting customer satisfaction in China’s sustainable second-hand clothing market: A mixed methods approach. International Journal of Consumer Studies.

• Yadav, P., & Rahman, Z. (2020). Understanding the intention to buy secondhand clothing on sharing economy platforms. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 54, 101848.

• Schmidt, A., & Peters, G. (2022). Psychological drivers of secondhand clothing consumption. Cited in Yao, Y., Xu, H., & Song, H. Y. (2025).

• (Additional information on water and carbon savings comes from Zamani et al. 2014; Sandin & Peters 2018.)