Who would have thought that thrifting would become so popular among college students? After all, the most targeted demographic for fast fashion is people aged 18 through 24.
Many take advantage of the low-cost and trendy finds on online stores like Shein, Zara, Forever 21 and H&M. However, thrift store shopping and online reused clothing sales have emerged as smart and ethical ways to achieve a stylish wardrobe. One of the innovators bringing thrifting opportunities to university campuses is a platform called Thrifthouse. This campus thrifting platform safely allows students to sell unwanted goods exclusively on their own campus.
In order to use Thrifthouse, users must have a college/university email address to register and upload photos of the items they want to sell. These items include clothing, shoes, electronics, and houseware, among other things.
Buying and selling is only part of Thrifthouse's goal; the platform also promotes sustainability and reuse of unwanted items that may, otherwise, end up in the local landfill. It also seeks to bring more consciousness about carbon emission concerns due to fast fashion. Every action counts, especially considering that less than 1% of used clothing gets recycled into new garments.
Nonetheless, one person's trash is another person's treasure, and Thrifthouse translates this knowledge by answering the needs of the greater campus community. The platform doesn't just operate online, it uses on-campus ambassadors to spread the word about reuse by cultivating and nurturing a community of students who care about living sustainably.
On the podcast, Keep Me Posted with Planet Aid, Thrifthouse CMO, Piercen Farrow said, "There's a huge passion with a lot of the students on campus that will do things on their own—even if they are not an ambassador. We'll see people promoting Thrifthouse, and that's where you see those people who really want change."
Farrow also spoke about how easy it is to create change, especially with college move-outs—known for the massive waste left behind at the end of a semester. Using a platform like Thrifthouse incentivizes students with revenue and motivates them to evaluate and manage their belongings, making move-outs more efficient for everyone.
Much like Planet Aid bins provide an accessible means of donating clothes for reuse, the Thrifthouse platform similarly gives its users the opportunity to invoke change by being the sustainable change their campus community needs.