Heavy fabrics. Insulation. Multiple layers. Durable construction. Thrifting winter clothing is one of the most practical, high-impact sustainability choices you can make, especially in cold-climate regions like Alberta.
Winter gear is designed to protect us from harsh conditions, which means it requires more materials, more processing, and more energy to produce than many other garments. And yet, many winter items are worn for only a few seasons before being replaced — not because they’ve worn out, but because trends shift, sizes change, or closets fill up.
At More Than a Fad, we believe that long-lived clothing is better for your wardrobe and better for the planet. Choosing winter clothing secondhand keeps valuable garments in use and reduces the need for new production, and that’s where the real impact lies.
Winter Clothing and Its Environmental Footprint
Textile production is resource-intensive at every stage, from growing or manufacturing fibres to weaving, dyeing, cutting, and finishing garments. The industry as a whole has substantial environmental impacts: it uses large quantities of water and energy, involves chemical processing, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, every second the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or burned. Source: UNEP
Heavier garments such as insulated coats, winter boots, and thick sweaters, require more raw material and more complex construction than light everyday items. That additional material carries an environmental cost long before a garment reaches a store rack.
In fact, research shows that 90% of Environmental Impact in the Fashion Industry comes from Raw Materials and Certain Manufacturing Processes. Source: Global Impact News
That means the most effective way to reduce impact isn’t minor changes during use, it’s making sure the clothing that already exists is worn as long as possible.
The Canadian Context: Textile Waste and Landfills
In Canada, textile collection and recycling infrastructure remain limited. Textile waste is a major contributor to landfill volumes, and synthetic textiles like polyester (used widely in winter gear) often end up buried alongside other waste. An estimated 98% of plastic-based textiles are not recycled into new products. Source: Government of Canada
Once in landfill, these materials survive for decades. During use and washing, synthetic fibres can also shed microplastics that enter waterways and ecosystems.
By choosing secondhand winter clothing, you help slow this cycle. Fewer garments heading to landfill means less waste, less demand for new production, and fewer resources extracted to replace items that were still perfectly usable.
Why Extending Garment Life Matters
The longer a garment stays in use, the lower its environmental impact per wear. Studies examining wool and other durable garments have shown that extending a piece’s lifespan — even by a few additional seasons — significantly reduces its overall footprint. It is estimated that extending the average life of clothes by just three months of active use per item would lead to a 5-10% reduction in each of the carbon, water and waste footprints. Source: WRAP
Here’s the logic:
- Every extra season you wear a coat, sweater, or pair of boots means less energy and water required per wear over its lifespan.
- Reusing the same garment through secondhand purchase means you are not triggering a new production cycle with fresh material extraction, processing, and manufacturing.
Secondhand clothing is a form of circular fashion — keeping garments in use as long as possible and delaying, or avoiding entirely, the need for new production.
Thrifting in Action: How Your Choice Makes a Difference
Reuse and resale play a meaningful role in diverting textiles from landfill in Canada. While exact figures vary, secondhand systems consistently rank among the most effective tools for reducing textile waste.
In real terms, thrifting winter clothing means:
- Fewer garments discarded prematurely
- Lower demand for new winter gear production
- Reduced water, energy, and emissions tied to manufacturing
It’s a small decision that creates ripple effects far beyond your closet.
Making Sustainable Choices This Winter
Choosing thrifted winter clothing doesn’t just save you money — it’s one of the most tangible ways you can reduce your environmental footprint in daily life. Every secondhand purchase extends that garment’s life and reduces the need for another new one to take its place.
That’s impact you can feel season after season.
In a world where climate concerns and fast fashion intersect, shopping secondhand is a powerful and practical way to reduce waste, conserve resources, and support a more circular economy. In cold climates like ours, choosing thrifted winter clothing is sustainable, sensible, and stylish.
The next time you reach for a winter coat, consider this:
How long should a well-made garment last, and what happens when we choose to extend its life instead of replacing it?