Thrift-store shopping is a form of consumerism that is growing in popularity. However, there are issues that surround second-hand shopping that involve both the consumer and the process of donation.
The debate about whether it is good to give to charities is a topic of much discussion, especially around the holidays. Charity is the act of providing help or relief to someone in need. While this innately seems like a noble thing, many perceive charity as the donation of dispensable and unwanted material goods, only given so that individuals may feel egocentrically dignified in "giving back" to society.
Regardless of how we perceive charity, the benefits of donating clothing, household items, and electronics to second-hand companies such as Goodwill and other thrift stores far outweigh the negative reactions people may exude when making donations. It is important to give with compassion so that the system of second-hand shopping remains dignified.
When donating to an organization, many people find flaws in the quality of the clothing people believe to be appropriate to give. When making a donation, it is important to put yourself in another person's shoes. Ask yourself, would I wear this? Could I buy this as a gift for someone else? It is important to give quality clothes in order to receive quality clothes. Making donations also creates more opportunities for jobs because the more merchandise a store has, the more employees it can take on. Even if you do not have anything to donate, you can still be an ethical consumer by buying unique and recycled items at local thrift stores.
The most recent controversy about second-hand shopping involves the integrity of Goodwill Industries. A large, international network of retail thrift stores funds this nonprofit organization, but the organization itself works to promote job satisfaction and availability. Goodwill Industries provides employment programs for those who are denied access or to those with disabilities.
However, there have been reports of Goodwill stores around the nation paying disabled employees wages as low as ten cents per hour for work described as "assembly" work. According to an article from NBC News investigations, Section 14 (c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to exploit minimum wage certificates from the Department of Labor. The certificates give employers the right to pay disabled workers according to their abilities, with no bottom limit to the wage.
This is an issue that should not be ignored. It is a shame that an organization with the potential to benefit so many people is taking advantage of the weak and insufficient laws within the job market. Even if Goodwill Industries is providing jobs for people who would otherwise be without the fulfillment of having a job, it is still dishonorable to pay workers less based on their mental health.
The benefits of the retail thrift stores that are connected to Goodwill Industries do not justify this unfortunate and rare circumstance of worker mistreatment. I do believe, however, that this rare account of exploitation cannot discount how valuable the concept of buying second-hand is to our society. I include the occurrence of worker exploitation by the Goodwill Industry because it is important for the consumer to be aware of where their clothing is coming from and the integrity of these sources.
Despite this account of worker exploitation, second-hand clothing benefits the local economy and promotes recycled clothing, which includes cutting down on manufacturing demands and keeps more items out of the landfill.
During this holiday season, give kindly to Goodwill and other charities in your local area. To satisfy your consumer cravings, choose to thrift! Support local businesses that sell second-hand items. It will not only be kinder on the environment, but kinder on your wallet as well.
-White is a sophomore environmental geosciences major from Steamboat Springs, Colo.