Thrifting has many benefits, not only towards sustainability in the environment, but also towards consumers. Many go thrifting for the experience of finding unique and vintage pieces for affordable prices. Thrifting presents an opportunity to find eccentric pieces along with contributing towards the environment positively. As the environment is nearing a point of crisis, thrifting is a great option to decrease the rate of clothing ending up in landfills. According to University of Colorado (CU) Boulder, one pair of jeans uses an estimated 1,800 gallons of water during the manufacturing process and cotton growth. Thrifting provides a reduction of resources and positively contributes to the environment. 

Junior Cameron Zobrist is one of the many who engages in the thrifting world. “I have been thrifting for basically my whole life,” Zobrist remarked. Many teens like Zobrist engage in thrifting to repurpose clothing. According to the CU Boulder, “Most clothes are made from synthetic materials, which take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. When you thrift, you help extend the life of clothes, which can reduce the volume of clothing sent to landfills each year.” Zobrist agreed and voiced, “I think it is great, because the clothes will not end up in a landfill and they end up being recycled by people who will wear them again.” Not only are clothes repurposed, but they are unique and affordable. Like Zobrist, junior Mai Sylvester also enjoys the activity of thrifting for not only the fun that it provides but the positive impact it leaves on the environment.  “I love upcycling. There are so many things that can be reused or recycled on this earth,” Sylvester explained. 

Zobrist stated that she has found brands like Lululemon while thrifting, but the best pieces are “the things that I have no idea where they have come from, and they have become my favorite pieces.” Like Zobrist, Sylvester also enjoys the activity of thrifting and likes to add her own special twist. “Currently, I am trying to figure out how to ‘thrift flip’ by sewing clothes with cute designs onto thrifted clothing,” Sylvester added.

Thrifting allows for consumers to find unique clothing that achieves everyone’s standards. Clothing is able to be repurposed and sold for reasonable prices through this process. Thrifting is a never ending cycle that will flourish for centuries.