By: Piper Levendofsky

Fort Collins, Colo. — When Macklemore released the viral hip-hop song “Thrift Shop” over a decade ago, thrift stores and other second-hand stores have been increasing in popularity. 

Not only are they an affordable way to buy clothes, kitchenware, furniture, or anything else you could possibly think of, they take much less of a toll on the planet. 

Buying second-hand keeps items out of landfills for longer, conserves water, lowers your carbon footprint, and prevents harmful chemicals from polluting the environment. 

Whether you’re an avid antique collector or just looking for a new statement piece, Fort Collins has an abundance of thrift stores for everyone to find something unique. 

You can find one on just about every corner of the city, and they’re always stocked full of goodies. One popular and extremely versatile thrift store is Eco-Thrift, a multi-functional storefront that allows you to rent tools, buy cheap clothes, or shop for home decor. 

The aspect of borrowing items from their store is a unique quality that needs to be seen more because it encourages a strong community lifestyle, which lessens our toll on the planet. 

Their sister store, Funktional, is a more boutique-style thrift store run by Eco-Thrift for those who want to find more unique and eccentric pieces. Eco-Thrift’s goal is “to leave our community a little greener than we found it” and they are certainly making an impact on the city of Fort Collins. 

The overconsumption of ‘stuff’ is a serious issue, and is described as having detrimental consequences on the individual consumer, society, and the environment by many. 

Producing brand-new items uses up water, fossil fuels, and other resources, and buying pre-loved items is a crucial aspect in helping solve this issue. 

Next time you’re out in Old Town, be sure to pop in one of the many consignment and thrift shops. They’re full of treasures and constantly restock their items so you’re guaranteed to find exactly what you’re looking for.