5 Reasons to Make Secondhand Shopping Your 2025 Resolution
As we approach the new year, many of us are already thinking about the resolutions we’ll set for 2025. While losing weight or learning a new skill are common choices, this year, why not make a resolution that benefits both you and the planet?!
Here are five reasons why secondhand shopping should be your 2025 resolution:
1. Save Money
Let’s start with the most well-known benefit of secondhand shopping: saving money. Whether you're shopping for clothing or something else, such as furniture or home decor, secondhand items are often a fraction of the price of new ones. Vintage stores, consignment shops, thrift shops, and online resale platforms offer high-quality items at a steep discount. Secondhand shopping is a smart way to stretch your budget without compromising on quality. Why pay full price when you can find that coveted item at a fraction of the cost?
2. Lower Your Carbon Footprint
Did you know that the fashion industry is responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions? By opting for secondhand clothing, you’re reducing the demand for new clothing, which in turn lowers the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing, transportation, and packaging. According to a study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, buying secondhand clothing could reduce the emissions impact of clothing by 44%.
3. Less Waste = Less Landfill
In today’s fast-paced consumer culture, overproduction and overconsumption contribute significantly to landfill waste. The average American throws away over 80 lbs of clothing every year, much of which is still in good condition and could be reused or repurposed. Secondhand shopping helps combat this by giving products a second life and preventing perfectly good items from ending up in landfills.
4. One-of-a-Kind Vibes
Secondhand shopping is a great way to discover new styles and fashion brands. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and online resale platforms are treasure troves of unique and often high-quality pieces. Many secondhand shops, including Bounce Mkt, curate collections that feature a wide range of brands, including some niche brands that offers unique styles and quality craftsmanship.
5. Save Natural Resources
Every new product requires raw materials, energy, and water to produce—resources that are increasingly scarce in today’s world. By buying secondhand, you’re effectively conserving these valuable resources. For example, the process of making a single new cotton t-shirt uses around 2,700 liters of water, the same amount an average person drinks in three years. By choosing secondhand, you reduce the demand for new production, helping preserve natural ecosystems and reduce resource depletion.
In Conclusion
As you set your resolutions for 2025, consider making secondhand shopping a regular part of your routine. You don’t need to replace everything with used items—just buying one or two fewer new pieces each year can make a big difference. The impact adds up when we all make small changes. So, this year, let your resolution go beyond personal growth—let it be about improving the world around you, one secondhand find at a time.