Greening your Closet and Your Life
Now some of the hottest items on the hangers are organic clothes, but for the real greenies out there, there is a better way to do your part for the environment when it’s time to go shopping- hit the consignment shops! The benefits are endless.
Buying at the consignment shop:
I know the first thought to some people is, “Gross! I don’t want to wear something that was worn by someone else!” Well, you people who are easily skeeved out, do you think those jeans you bought at Nordstrom’s were not tried on by a dozen people before you bought them, or that shirt from the gap couldn’t have been sneezed on by the sales clerk who spends all day folding them inhaling the microfiber particles? Just wash the darn garment before you wear it, and it’ll be as clean as or cleaner than something new. Just make sure you use a detergent that is not harmful to the environment!
First benefit, you can get some incredible deals at these stores, and sometimes find new items with tags on them for pennies on the dollar of what they originally sold for. In addition.
When you buy consigned clothes, you are also reducing the demand on new clothing which lessens the production of those new clothes. This saves energy & materials, and reduces toxins in bleaches and dies put into the air and water. This also reduces the emissions from vehicles that have to deliver clothing from the factories to the stores. Think about all the energy used to make the clothes that you are wearing today. If you buy used clothing you are not responsible for that energy!
Selling in the consignment shop:
Consignment shops will typically give you between 30%-50% of what they will resell your old clothes for, which puts more money back into your wallet, and no one can argue with that!
This also frees up lots of space in your home, reducing clutter, dust mites, and increasing storage space and open air space- all of which is good for you. Also, if you are student of Feng Shui, you will note that once you reduce clutter in your home (i.e. the clothes taking up closet space that you haven’t worn in over a year, you will start experiencing higher energy levels, more clarity, and a heightened sense of well-being.
So, fellow Philadelphians, I urge you to give it a try. Go to my favorite shop Green Street Consignment Shop on the corner of 7th and South Streets. They also have locations in Lambertville and Bryn Mawr. Their website is http://www.greenestreetconsignment.com