Organic or Second-hand?

Since my May Month Challenge is all about being greener and leaving less of an ecological footprint, I thought I’d bring up the discussion about buying new but organic items (such as clothing) versus buying second-hand, non-organic used items.

I’m not an expert in this area, but basically, is it greener to buy new items that are organically created/made, or is it greener to buy second-hand used items?

(P.S. For discussion purposes: let’s assume that you don’t have an aversion to second-hand items and the second-hand items are NOT organic)

Organic Benefits

1. It’s better (indirectly speaking) for the environment, the ground water, the soil, the animals, etc because the production methods to get that organic material means you aren’t using chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides or harsh dyes, and no machines to pick the cotton for instance, (since it’s all hand-picked) so there’s also no air pollution. In addition, it may be better for those farmers hand picking the cotton because they aren’t exposed to all that junk either!

2. Organic cotton is better quality fabric since it is hand picked and hasn’t been stripped by chemicals or dyed with harsh dyes that may contain heavy metals. In fact, they maintain a natural balance between pests and their natural predators.

3. Seeds are not genetically modified and can be used for feed for animals as well.

4. Organic crops build strong healthy soils and retain water which there’s less irrigation and water consumption.

5. There are some high profile designers like Stella McCartney, or U2’s Bono who offer organic or sustainable fashion, in fact, even mainstream retailers have started getting on the organic bandwagon as well.

Organic Downsides

1. You’re also buying another piece of clothing, instead of buying something that has already been created and worn (second-hand)

2. The cost. They say 10% of blended organic cotton fibers raise the price of each t-shirt by about 7 cents. Doesn’t sound like a lot right?

3. But then consider that a 100% organic cotton t-shirt will cost 20%-30% more than a regular t-shirt, and if you’re on a tight budget.. that sucks..however, it just means you buy less clothing, which overall is a good thing.

Second-hand Benefits

1. You save money. Lots of money. Like it sells for a fraction of the retail price… Check out what I’ve got on FB Closet, all of it is second-hand, and some of it still has its bloody tags on! *sobs*

2. You don’t add another piece of clothing to the overwhelming amount that is already out there, stuffed in people’s closets!! Which means it doesn’t get tossed in a trashbin somewhere to add to the growing landfills.

3. You get a real variety (both good and bad), because the clothes are from different seasons, countries, and people’s lives. So you may end up with something that was originally purchased in Spain but found in your local thrift store!

4. If you have kids, they grow like weeds, so you spend a lot less money trying to keep up with their changing bodies by just buying second-hand.

5. Sometimes high-end clothing is donated to second-hand stores and in upscale areas, new high quality donations can be found by those kind folk dropping off their designer labels.

6. It’s also not just for clothing – electronics, toys and cars are all great ways to get good items on the cheap, and/or these parts could double as spare parts

Second-hand Downsides

1. Let’s face it, it’s been worn by someone else.

2. You may not get what you were really hoping for, as in the colour is perfect but the fit is wrong and you wish it was a size bigger.

3. You may also find that someone altered the clothing and was 5’ tall, so the PERFECT pair of pants that you were dying for… doesn’t fit.

4. Second-hand items means you don’t know what’s been done to them *ahem* Abuse of a car for example, may not show up until later when you’re halfway out in the middle of nowhere….

5. It may not be safe – it may have been a recalled item

6. It’s missing a lot of items – a button, a zipper, a manual

7. The cost may actually be almost the same as buying it new – in which case, it’s a moral decision to purchase what’s already been created, or pay the $3 more and buy it brand new

8. Refurbished items may not be up to snuff

9. There are some things I would NEVER buy used like underwear (iiiiicccck!) baby car seats or anything that may be harmful

Readers: what do you think?

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