Date: Apr, 22 2024

April 22 is Earth Day, a time to think about how you can help protect the environment and reduce your carbon footprint. There are many ways to make Captain Planet proud every day: recycling and composting, riding a bike instead of driving, planting a tree, picking up trash by the beach, turning off the light when you leave a room, and so much more. But did you know that one of your favorite activities – thrifting – is also great for the earth? That’s right: when you donate or shop at your local Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart thrift shop, you’re being a green superhero and supporting community health! Here are three huge ways that supporting Adoray’s thrift stores is great for the environment.


1. Reducing landfill waste:
When we think about landfills, we don’t usually imagine last season’s fashion. According to the EPA, an estimated 11 million tons of textiles end up in landfills each year, equaling nearly 8% of total landfill materials. That’s a lot of clothing that could have been donated instead of tossed! When you donate your unwanted outfits to Adoray’s Treasures from the Hesrt, you’re giving them a second life – and keeping them out of landfills. Another way of saving your textiles is by making something meaningful out of them. For example, Adoray takes the old t-shirts that are donated and our volunteers turn them into t-shirt bags with industrialized sewing machines purchased thanks to the Big Ideas grants from the River Falls Community Foundation.


2. Saving water:
The fashion industry consumes a staggering amount of water each day to manufacture new clothing. It takes 2,108 gallons of water to produce just one pair of jeans! When you shop thrift instead of buying new, you’re saving literally thousands of gallons of water each time.


3. Clearing the air:
Besides water waste, clothing manufacturing also creates massive amounts of air pollution – 10% of all human carbon emissions, in fact. Fast fashion may be “cheap” when it comes to the wallet, but the price the environment pays is incredibly high. Instead of hitting a chain store for your new spring outfit, visit Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart for a breath of fresh air.


These are just a few reasons why, by supporting your local Adoray’s Treasures from the Heart, you’ll make a big sustainability statement – along with a big fashion statement! Next time you clean out your closet, make a plan to donate instead of toss. Mother Earth will thank you for it – and we will turn your items into compassionate skilled care to make our community a healthier place.

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