There is nothing Malaysians love more than a good bargain. And with many thrift stores popping up across the country, there is no better place to score yourself a good deal.
Thrifting is a great way to save money while supporting a small business, but the benefits go far beyond these points. Here are three ways in which thrifting habits can help the environment.
1. Keep clothing and more out of landfills
The fast-fashion industry has encouraged people to throw away unused or unwanted clothing, which has led to large amounts of fabric dumped in landfills.
According to research, a staggering two million kg in textile waste and other wearable products end up in Malaysian landfills daily.
By choosing to donate or sell your pre-loved clothing to thrift stores, you can give your duds a new lease of life.
This is on top of the myriad pre-owned items, including books, electronics, household goods and more, that could be better off finding new homes than taking up the precious and scarce physical space occupied by landfills.
2. Reduce carbon footprint
Did you know it takes around 1,800 gallons of water to produce just one pair of jeans? Each part of the process of producing one sole item of clothing produces large amounts of carbon footprint and greenhouse-gas emissions that contribute to climate change and the degradation of the environment.
So, by choosing to go thrift shopping instead of visiting the mall, you are also helping the planet.
3. Decrease pollution
Textiles used for clothing are often filled with pesticides, harsh chemicals and dyes that are bad for health and the environment, especially when factories often dump waste into waterways.
Shopping at thrift shops is one of the easiest ways to reduce pollution and reduce the resources that go into producing new clothes.
Where to go
Recently there has been a surge of thrift stores, also known as “bundle shops”, in Malaysia. If you are in the Klang Valley, here’s a list of such stores you should definitely check out.
- Jalan Jalan Japan
Jalan Jalan Japan is a Japanese thrift store that has been in Malaysia since 2016, offering various items from houseware and toys to bags, shoes, and even musical instruments.
All their products are pre-owned and imported from Japan, with new shipments coming in every month, so there’s always something new to uncover.
Don’t worry about spending hours rummaging through bins to find the best deal – everything is well-organised, and each store even has a section with items that sell for as low as RM1.
Jalan Jalan Japan has six outlets located in Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Cheras, Bangi, Seremban and Rawang.
Find out more by visiting its website or Facebook page.
- Kedai Bless
Bless Shop, which has been around since 1999, began as a social enterprise by Sidang Injil Borneo Kuala Lumpur (SIBKL) church. It carries a selection of pre-loved and new items donated by Malaysians, including clothes, shoes, jewellery, home decor, and even small furniture.
Products start from as low as RM3, with 50% of proceeds going towards the various charities Bless is involved in. Meanwhile, donated items that cannot be sold at its outlets are forwarded to an organisation for people with disabilities.
Kedai Bless is located in a number of malls in the Klang Valley, including One Utama, Midvalley, and Citta Mall.
Check out its website here, and visit its Facebook profile.
- 2nd Street Bundle Shop
2nd Street Bundle Shop also originates from Japan, where it has over 650 outlets. It specialises in exports of used clothing to Asian countries, including caps, bags and shoes.
To encourage the reuse of clothing, 2nd Street Bundle Shop encourages customers to sell their pre-loved items at its branches in Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur. That’s right – not only are you helping the environment, you could also make some money doing it!
All you have to do is bring in your pre-loved items that are still in good condition, and the staff will assess them and offer an amount paid in cash.
2nd Street Bundle Shop is also located in Bandar Utama, Subang Jaya, and Kepong.
For more information, visit the 2nd Street Bundle Shop website or check it out on Instagram.