2023-08-30 07:18:09
We live in a world in which the cry for conscious and sustainable consumption is getting louder. Even the people in the back are awake now. When it comes to clothing, it’s no surprise that platforms like Vinted have caused a shift in the way we buy and sell clothing. With the push of a button, from the comfort of our smartphone screens, we can build our own second-hand fashion empire. But beneath this seemingly eco-conscious facade lurks more complex questions: is using Vinted and similar platforms really a step towards a sustainable transition? Or is it an excuse not to change our buying habits?
???? Did you know that Vinted was conceived 15 years ago? When co-founder Milda was moving in 2008, she felt she had too many clothes to take with her to her new home. Knowledge Justas offered his help and created a website to get rid of her clothes. And the rest is now history.
The advantages of second-hand clothing
Let’s start at the beginning: buying pre-loved clothing is definitely a good choice. By giving items a second life, you reduce the demand for new clothing production and lower your individual carbon footprint. The main advantages of second-hand at a glance:
- You help reduce waste and CO2 emissions. The clothing industry is a major polluter. When the demand for new clothing production decreases, there is a positive impact on waste and CO2 emissions.
- You help save on natural resources. The production of new clothing requires raw materials such as water, energy and raw materials. By buying second-hand, you avoid using additional natural resources.
- You are an example of conscious shopping. A conscious buying mentality forces us to think regarding our purchases. Do you really need an item? You can train yourself to shop less impulsively and aim for long-term use of your garments.
- You support the local economy. If you venture into the local second-hand market, you theoretically support the local economy. Unfortunately, this is often different in practice.
Swipe, swipe, favorite, buy
Vinted is a great facilitator for its 75 million members to make their wardrobe more sustainable by giving unworn items a second life. The platform has been encouraging reuse for many years and has an impact that should not be underestimated on the way you and I look at second-hand today. Pre-loved clothing is embraced so much more than, say, 10 years ago. That is a big step in the right direction and Vinted has certainly contributed to that.
Still, we must recognize the potential pitfalls. Surely you’ve heard of ‘the thrill of the hunt‘? Literally translated: the thrill of the hunt. The phrase is often associated with buying secondhand simply because it can lead to overconsumption. An excuse to keep buying. Whether this is done consciously or not is beyond dispute.
Still, we must acknowledge the pitfalls: second-hand shopping as an excuse to keep buying.
The paradoxical consequence of pre-loved platforms like Vinted? It makes the buying process easy and offers you an infinite source of clothing items, making it tempting to buy more than you need. The low prices and sense of exclusivity can contribute to non-stop hunting. Of course, the platform is attractively designed so that you can keep scrolling effortlessly. And with countless filters you will find exactly what you are looking for… Or more than what you initially had in mind.
So while Vinted offers a great opportunity to combat clothing waste, it also continues to fuel your buying impulses. In addition, we must not overlook the worldwide sending and receiving of packages. As a user, you’ve certainly shipped something to France or bought something from Spain, haven’t you? And I can well imagine that there is regular disappointment among the millions of members when it turns out that their second-hand purchase turns out to be of less quality. What is also shocking is that a large part of the Vinted range is actually new clothing (see labels). All these elements are a result of fast fashion companies that have dominated the clothing sector for decades.
Part of a much bigger problem
A switch to pre-loved in re-use seems good news for the climate. But what researcher Hilde Van Duijn brings to the attention via Groene.nl opens our eyes: “The sales figures of the large chains have not decreased and the range of new clothing has not decreased either. We have not started to produce less and we have not started to buy less. So it seems rather that we have accelerated our usage cycle even more. I get the impression that it is even easier for consumers to buy something for one evening or party because they can then resell it on Vinted. That in turn means that clothing has less value, that we have come to see it as a disposable product – it costs nothing anyway. That boosts fast fashion even more.”
So regardless of whether people buy second-hand clothes or not, fast fashion companies continue to produce new clothes at a breakneck pace. And its production has a huge impact on people and the environment. Not to mention the appalling quality of the clothing that is produced, which in practice cannot really get a second or third life. No thanks for your devastating approach, Shein, Nakd, Primark, H&M and the like.
???? Vinted proudly says that they prevent 1.8 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO₂e) per second-hand item. Good looking! But what is not being shouted from the rooftops is the following: a test I did myself via the app showed that 30% of my clothing selection was assigned the label ‘new’. Could a third of the offer hardly be called second-hand? Another eye opener.
Conclusion: whether Vinted is a sustainable alternative depends on how it is used by the consumer
Vinted is neither a sustainable illusion nor the solution for a more responsible fashion world. As often, the truth lies in the middle. The platform offers a great opportunity to consume consciously, change the fashion industry and reduce clothing waste. But it is up to us, as individuals and as a society, to embrace that possibility with open eyes and a critical mind. By rethinking our consumption habits, buying consciously and engaging in dialogue regarding sustainability, we can transform Vinted and similar platforms from fashion playgrounds into tools for positive change. You can find tips on how to deal with Vinted consciously here.
Our own behavior therefore makes the platform sustainable or not. And that change (in ourselves) starts today. After reading this blog, will you deal with platforms à la Vinted differently? Be sure to let me know in the comments or via Instagram.
By rethinking our buying habits and engaging in dialogue regarding sustainability, we can transform Vinted and similar platforms from fashion playgrounds into tools for positive change.
My name is Eline Rey and I’ve been immersed in responsible dressing for +5 years. I am not a trained sustainability expert and this is my own view. I write blogs and opinions because I want to spark conversations, plant seeds and create awareness through my blog and Instagram. We cannot transform the sector in an instant with our individual choices, but collectively we can send a signal to the world.
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