At Shop of Good, we’re all about reducing our carbon footprint and making the world a better place. That’s why we were so excited to hear about ThredUp’s new carbon footprint calculator. So, of course, we had to give it a go.
The team here at Shop of Good took the test and we’re proud to say we’re all LEGENDS! We’re doing all the right things, and following all the guidance given, but it still doesn’t feel like enough.
ThredUp, the US-based resale website, partnered with Green Story Inc. to create a tool that draws on existing studies and data, including a Life Cycle Assessment report on resale versus linear clothing systems. The calculation tool asks 10 questions, including how often you buy new clothes, how often you do laundry, repair, and dry clean. It also asks what percentage of purchases are second-hand before calculating the carbon footprint of your shopping habits annually, and how this compares to the average consumer.
It’s no surprise that buying second-hand gives you ‘legend’ status. If we all switched to buying second-hand, production could be reduced by nearly 8% by 2027. But switching to second-hand isn’t enough. The more people that do it, the bigger the impact.
We know that shopping and fashion can be emotionally driven and image-focused, so it’s easy to flip our over-consumption habits to the second-hand market. Big brands know this, which is why we’re seeing the rise of brand resale offerings.
The real power we have as individuals is choosing to buy LESS and make it last. Buy less, and when you buy, make sure you try to buy second-hand first. If you do need to buy new, set criteria for yourself – like sustainable materials, chemical-free, transparent supply chains and recyclability. Take good care of your clothes, so they last as long as possible and retain value, should you choose to sell them on.
We believe Less is Best, and we love the approach of the Rule of Five, recommended in the Hot or Cool Institute’s Unfit, Unfair, Unfashionable report. According to the report, big changes from the industry itself – combined with pressure from organisations and policy interventions from governments – are key for a sustainability transition in the fashion sector. But demand-side measures, like individual lifestyle changes, can also make a massive impact.
As individuals, we can focus on our own piece of the puzzle and change the way we consume, starting today. Calculate the carbon footprint of your wardrobe and see how you can make a difference!
