Shopping with Purpose During Secondhand September
This month, The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s National Recycling Operations (NRO), is encouraging Canadians to shop pre-owned at its thrift stores across Canada as part of Secondhand September.
This is a global movement that encourages people to choose second-hand shopping, helping extend the life of pre-loved items while making more affordable and sustainable choices.
“Choosing second-hand is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste and extend the life of everyday items.”
For Canadians looking to take part in this initiative through Salvation Army thrift stores, the impact of their choices goes beyond environmental consciousness, as purchases and donations help support the organization’s programs in communities across the country.
“Choosing second-hand is one of the simplest ways to reduce waste and extend the life of everyday items,” says Ted Troughton, managing director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “Through The Salvation Army Thrift Store, your impact goes further: every purchase and donation helps keep usable goods in circulation while supporting life-changing Salvation Army services across Canada.”
Giving clothing and household items a new life diverts them from landfills and reduces waste. It also contributes to a more circular economy, where products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible.
“Every purchase and donation helps keep usable goods in circulation while supporting life-changing Salvation Army programs and services.”
According to the Salvation Army Thrift Store’s 2025-2026 impact report, 85.7 million pounds of donated goods were diverted from local waste sites, including nearly 47.8 million pounds of clothing and textiles.
Approximately 95 percent of goods donated to The Salvation Army Thrift Store are given a second life through its retail locations or ethical partners.
Across the country, The Salvation Army operates 98 thrift stores welcoming millions of guests and donors each year.
Secondhand September gives people the opportunity to consider donating items they no longer need and buy pre-owned. Whether it’s an awesome pre-loved outfit or household items, passing along goods that are still usable can help reduce waste and conserve resources.
This month, we encourage you to choose second-hand and give everyday items a better life cycle, one purchase and donation at a time.
To learn more about Secondhand September and how you can participate, visit www.thriftstore.ca/secondhand-september/
By Juan Romero
