There is no doubting that clothes are essential to your wardrobe. However, you have to be real careful when shopping for second-hand clothing because you do not want to end up buying a load of rubbish and having to throw them away. It is essential that you make sure that the clothes you buy are of good quality and are made from a material that will last a long time. Read on to find out more about whether second-hand clothes are better for the environment or not.
Clothes can cause serious damage to the environment if they are not properly handled. With the amount of waste produced each year, it is important that we take every precaution in order to reduce our impact on the environment. Second-hand clothes can prove to be a valuable source of recycling for the environment. In fact, they can even improve the condition of the planet for future generations.
Recycling of Second Hand Clothes
Some people believe that the reason why second-hand clothes cause so much damage to the environment is that they are worn and then discarded very soon after they are worn out. This means that their materials were not able to withstand the rigors of daily wear and tear. This leads to the fibers of the clothes getting tangled and entangled and this results in the accumulation of harmful chemicals like dyes and other harmful substances. These toxins in the clothes pollute the soil and water and thereby turn it into a lifeless place.
Secondly, many people also think that second-hand clothes cannot be recycled since they are already torn and worn out. This is not true because there are special facilities and stores that are willing to recycle these clothes. The second-hand clothes can be recycled and then reused and turned into new cloth. Thus, you will be able to benefit from using second-hand clothes despite the fact that they are used and thus causing damage to the environment.
Fitting of Second Hand Clothes
Thirdly, some people believe that it is not possible to use recycled clothes because they may not fit. They say that these clothes are tight-fitting and thus, won’t fit anyone. Well, this is not really true. You can find lots of funky and fashionable clothes that are very comfortable to wear, even when they are very tight.
Also, don’t assume that because a brand has been in business for a long time, its clothes are good. It’s true that a brand will have the best quality and the freshest designs but you should know what to look for. In fact, you can tell if the clothes are indeed made from recycled material just by smelling them. If you do not feel the need to wear the clothes right away, then don’t hesitate to pass by and buy them some new clothes instead.
Reasons for Buying Second Hand Clothes
There are many reasons why people choose to buy second-hand clothes and no one can really answer the question “are second-hand clothes better for the environment?” However, there are things you can do to help minimize your impact on the environment. First of all, if you want to be environmentally friendly, you should try to avoid throwing your old clothes in your yard. This is just a waste of energy and water. Instead, you should take care of your garments by taking them to a dry cleaner.
By doing this, not only do you help the environment but you also help yourself. Aside from getting rid of your old clothes, the dry cleaners also help out the environment by using recycled materials in their process. So, when you are asking yourself “are second-hand clothes better for the environment? “, you now know that there are ways to live a better lifestyle while saving the environment.
