This week I joined a group of writers and activists who are working to have December named National Thrift Store Month in the U.S. The group, led by the lovely and talented Shopping GoLightly of The Thrifty Chicks,is dedicated to getting thrift stores, vintage shops, and second-hand stores the recognition they deserve.

Are you the type of person who thinks shopping for second hand clothing is “gross”, or “low class”?  Let me tell you what “gross” is:  According to the EPA Office of Solid Waste, Americans throw away more than 68 pounds of clothing and textiles per person per year, and clothing and other textiles represent about 4% of the municipal solid waste. (source: EHP)

The wanton waste by American consumers is nowhere more evident than when you walk into a thrift store.  When was the last time you’ve gone into a thrift store?  Rows upon rows of stain-free, like-new clothing is being sold for 80-90% off the cost of the same item if it were sold new at retail.  Coats, sweaters, shoes, and handbags are all for sale under $10.00 in most thrift stores.  And yet, people will willingly pay ten or twenty times more just so that they can buy it in a store at the mall.

Many of the clothes in thrift shops are only one or two seasons old.  Now, I’m no Paris Hilton.  I don’t need to be wearing the latest season’s clothing to impress anyone.  I can look just as good in a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt that were made three or four years ago.  It’s one of the luxuries of being just an average gal:  I can wear whatever the hell I want.

Do you care about the earth?  Then you need to care about thrift store shopping. It’s not just about clothes, either! Books, dishes, picture frames, and toys.  You can save thousands of dollars shopping every year, and make use of valuable items that are otherwise going to waste. Do we need to keep buying new crap all the time?  Is there really a difference between brand new and used drinking glasses?

Another great reason to shop at thrift stores is that many of them are non-profit organizations and support important causes or charities.  Whether locally owned or national thrift store chains, these amazing businesses are doing so many wonderful things on so man levels.

And that’s why I support designating December as National Thrift Store Month.  Do you want to support this initiative?  Please join the Facebook petition, and leave me a comment here to tell me about the best thing you’ve ever found second hand.