PBA students embrace thrift shopping for affordable, sustainable style
- Chloe Nepveux
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.— At Palm Beach Atlantic University, sustainability is becoming more than just a social media trend—it’s becoming a lifestyle. One of the most affordable ways students choose to go green is through thrift shopping.
Whether it’s vintage denim jeans, funny graphic tees, or affordable dorm decor, PBA students are hitting up local thrift stores across Palm Beach County in search of unique finds that don’t break the bank or hurt the planet.
According to a report by FirstInsight, Gen Z is leading the charge in sustainable shopping, with second-hand fashion projected to double in market size by 2030. In a Typeform survey, 50% of Gen Z claimed sustainability was very important when choosing where to shop. And based on the growing number of students browsing thrift aisles on the weekends, that trend is evident in West Palm.
“I started thrifting to save money, but now it’s part of how I express myself,” said Larken Maseda, a junior majoring in philosophy, politics, and economics. “It feels good knowing that I’m buying something second-hand instead of contributing to fast fashion waste.”
Local thrift stores like Goodwill, Community Thrift, and American Thrift have become go-to spots for students who are passionate about style and sustainability. These stores offer a constantly changing selection of clothes, furniture, and accessories, often at prices that are hard to beat on a college student's budget.
For many students, thrifting is also about being more environmentally conscious. Fast fashion, cheap clothing made quickly to meet trends, is one of the most significant contributors to textile waste and pollution worldwide.
According to the 2019 State of Fashion report, a yearly report on trends within the global fashion industry, environmental sustainability has become a significant priority influencing the shopping choices of young Gen Z consumers.
According to Earth.org, 92 million tonnes of garments end up in landfills each year. The top two producers of garment waste are China, which produces 20 million tonnes, and the U.S., which produces 17 million tonnes each year, according to roundup.org.
“If the trend continues, the amount of fast fashion waste is expected to soar to 134 million tonnes a year by the end of the decade,” states Earth.Org.
“People forget how much clothing ends up in landfills,” said Jake Geiter, a junior at PBA. “Thrifting is such an easy way to make a difference, and it’s fun. You’re recycling, but in a stylish way.”
Thrifting is not only sustainable, but it also improves the lives of those who purchase second-hand items and those who work in thrift stores.
Some thrift stores support local causes, like job training programs or environmental nonprofits. Thrift stores in West Palm, like Gulfstream Goodwill, offer various employment training programs, including career counseling information and referral, pre-employment training, career camps, work readiness training, and financial literacy training.
“It’s a win-win,” said Madison Schlitche, a junior at PBA. “You save money, help the planet, and get something totally original.”
As more PBA students discover the perks of thrift shopping, what started as a budget-friendly alternative is quickly becoming a staple of student life.
By Chloe Nepveux