To Resell or Not to Resell…
SO MUCH STUFF! Photo taken at the Goodwill Outlet aka “The Bins” in Romeoville, IL
Are Resellers the Villains of Thrifting—Or Unsung Heroes of Sustainability?
If you’ve ever scrolled through social media, you’ve likely seen the heated debates about thrift resellers. Some argue that resellers are snatching up the best finds and driving up prices, making it harder for those in need to shop affordably. But is that the whole story? Or are resellers actually helping to extend the life cycle of secondhand goods and keep more items out of landfills?
The Reality of Thrift Store Overflow
Many people don’t realize just how much clothing is donated to thrift stores every single day. The volume is staggering. For example, Goodwill Industries of the Inland Northwest reported that in just one year, they paid $400,000 in disposal fees for unsold goods, down from $600,000 the year before. That’s tons of clothing and household goods still being sent to landfills despite efforts to resell and recycle. And it’s not just Goodwill—thrift stores across the country face the same dilemma.
The truth is, there is more than enough secondhand clothing to go around. 92 million tons of textile waste are created annually worldwide, and thrift stores can only process and sell a fraction of what gets donated. While some items get a second chance at life on the racks, a significant portion either ends up at outlets (like Goodwill Bins) or is simply discarded. In fact, you will even see a large number of items at the Goodwill Bins that have skipped the retail stores entirely and were shipped directly to “The Bins”. Resellers, rather than hoarding items, are helping move these goods into the hands of buyers who may never have stepped foot in a thrift store.
Resellers Expand Access, Not Restrict It
One of the biggest misconceptions about resellers is that they take clothing away from those in need. But consider this: not everyone has the time, ability, or proximity to go thrifting in person. Online resellers bring secondhand fashion to a much larger audience, including:
People in rural areas without access to thrift stores
Buyers looking for specific styles, sizes, or eras of clothing
Those who prefer online shopping over in-store hunting
By curating and selling thrifted pieces online, resellers actually introduce secondhand shopping to new demographics. Instead of limiting access, they’re expanding it.
What Happens to Unsold Items?
Despite efforts to sell donated goods, a portion remains unsold and may end up in landfills. In 2017, a combined 11,150 tons of clothing and linens from Goodwill were sent to landfills, contributing to the broader issue of textile waste. This underscores the importance of strategies to reduce waste, such as recycling and repurposing textiles. Millard South
As those in need aren’t always able to get to the outlets or thrift stores, resellers play a vital role in preventing more textiles from ending up in landfills. Remember - we are all in this together!
Keeping Clothes Out of Landfills
When resellers pick up thrift store items and list them online, they’re giving these pieces another shot at life. Instead of sitting unsold until they’re discarded, these clothes find new homes with buyers who appreciate and wear them. This is especially important for items that might be overlooked in traditional thrift stores due to niche appeal, unique styles, or specific size ranges.
Plus, let’s be real—thrift stores can’t process every single item they receive. Some estimates suggest that millions of pounds of unsold items from outlets still end up in landfills each year. Resellers act as a buffer, slowing down the waste cycle and ensuring more clothing gets reused instead of trashed.
The Bottom Line: Resellers Are Part of the Solution
Rather than viewing resellers as the enemy of thrifting, it’s time to recognize their role in sustainability. They aren’t just flipping items for profit—they’re extending the life cycle of secondhand goods, reducing waste, and helping shift the fashion industry toward a more circular model. As long as thrift stores continue receiving mountains of donations, resellers will be there to help move items into the hands of buyers, one vintage jacket at a time.
So, next time you see someone reselling a thrifted piece online, consider this: they might just be saving it from the landfill. And that’s a win for the planet.