Going Green With Goodwill: A Guide To Protecting The Planet

It’s 2023, and it’s no secret that manufacturing processes and much of what we buy on a regular basis are harmful to the planet. For earth day, we want to highlight the ways you can help fight waste and pollution in your everyday shopping habits.

Thrifted Fashion Is Sustainable Fashion.

Here’s the breakdown of the fashion industry and pollution:

•   Every single year, the fashion industry produces 150 billion pieces of clothing.

•   87% of the 150 billion pieces of clothing mentioned above will end up in a landfill.

•   Only 1% of all thrown-away clothing is actually recycled.

•   The apparel industry is responsible for 4% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. If left unregulated, fashion production would be responsible for 26% of all global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

•   New clothing is manufactured with highly toxic dyes and heavy metals that end up in our clean water streams, rivers, and aquifers where they harm ecosystems.

•   Washing newer, synthetic clothing is responsible for 35% of all microplastics in the ocean, which is the largest source of microplastics.

Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives to shopping for new fashion. That’s where we come in. When you shop Goodwill, you won’t find any microplastics or industry wastefulness. Just thrifted fashion finds and deals.

 Don’t Dump, Donate.

 Updating your style? Have some clothes that no longer fit? Don’t take them to the dump – donate instead!

 When you donate your used clothing and other goods, you’re adding to the cycle of sustainable fashion, and helping cut down on the above-mentioned 130,500,000,000 wasted clothing items going to landfills every year. Simply find a donation center near you and we’ll take care of the rest.