From The Straits Times    |
Thrift shopping in Singapore

 

We love our planet (as cliche as it sounds), and yes, we want to do our part to generate less waste. In light of upcoming Earth Day on April 22, we asked ourselves what we could do to lead more environmentally responsible lifestyles.

With celebrities who are also doing their part for the environment and making a conscious effort to switch to eco-friendly beauty finds, we are inspired to turn our attention to fashion; more specifically, the consumption of fashion in a way that’s kinder to our environment.

First up, some stats. “In 2016 alone, 150,000 tonnes of textile and leather waste was generated (in Singapore), of which only 7 per cent was recycled,” according to Eco-Business. Did you know? A lot of textile waste is not biodegradable, and will release harmful gases into the air while it takes 200 years or more to decay.

So this month, we are turning to secondhand garments to reduce our carbon footprint — and where better to start than at a thrift store?

We have two thrift shopping videos this month to remember Earth Day.

How many fashionable items did we get for under $50? Watch the first of two-part series to find out.

 

Where you can donate your clothes

If you want to recycle your clothes, here are some places you can go to:

H&M stores

You can drop off your clothes or home textiles that are no longer wanted or needed – no matter brand or condition – in all H&M stores across the globe to be recycled and given a new life. Find out more here.

The Salvation Army

Donate pre-loved items or new items to any one The Salvation Army’s Donation In Kind booths listed here. Profits go to those in need or to fund a comprehensive network of social services to meet a wide range of needs in our community.

Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS)

MINDS is one of the oldest and largest non-governmental organisations catering to the needs of the Intellectually Disabled in Singapore since 1962. Supporting the intellectually disabled, MINDS grants them the opportunity to restore the donated items and staff the shops. Drop your preloved clothing off at any one of their four shops listed here.

 

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