The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s unique retail proposition offers both a positive environmental and social impact.
We all know the three Rs of waste reduction — reduce, reuse, and recycle. The Salvation Army Thrift Store has created its own unique version: refresh, recycle, and restyle. The three Rs never go out of style, after all.
By refreshing something pre-loved and giving it a second life, you can extend the lifecycle of usable goods while helping to generate funds that support local Salvation Army programs and services. And when you have a household item or piece of clothing that you no longer use, you can donate it to The Salvation Army Thrift Store, which is one of Canada’s largest clothing recyclers. Lastly, restyle — because thrifting allows you to be uniquely you, all while saving the planet and your wallet.
The circular economy is a new way forward from that linear economy.
Introducing The Salvation Army Thrift Store
Unlike for-profit thrift shops, The Salvation Army Thrift Store is purely a charity, so its impact is twofold — promoting environmental and social sustainability.
“We have a unique retail proposition,” says Ted Troughton, Managing Director of The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “We offer a high-value shopping experience, a place to recycle and donate unneeded items, and an opportunity to help care for those in need.”
“Through our thrift stores and donor welcome centres, we receive donations of gently used clothing, textiles, and household items,” says Tonny Colyn, Director of Business Development and Sustainability at The Salvation Army Thrift Store. “This helps to generate funds to support local programs, services, and emergency relief efforts in our communities.”
The Salvation Army Thrift Store has 98 stores across Canada and accepts donations at over 115 locations through its Donor Welcome Centres. It also proudly employs nearly 2,000 people from diverse backgrounds across the country, many of who are long-standing employees.
An environmentally conscious approach
The environmental impacts created through The Salvation Army Thrift Store’s unique model are impressive. Its approach directly supports the circular economy — which is all about retaining and recovering as much value as possible from resources by reusing, repairing, and recycling products and materials in an endless circle of sustainable and responsible use.
“Traditional fashion operates in a linear economy where they take, make, and dispose,” says Colyn. “The environmental consequences of that are far greater than many people realize. The circular economy is a new way forward from that linear economy.”
The Salvation Army Thrift Store also plays a huge role in keeping products out of landfills. “We diverted an estimated 80 million pounds of clothing, household goods, and many other items from landfills last year,” says Troughton. This textile diversion kept 282,973 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the atmosphere and saved 46,845 kilolitres of water, all while generating funds that support local Salvation Army programs and services that are needed more than ever.
Promoting social sustainability
The Salvation Army programs and services making a difference in communities across Canada include food banks, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, school programs and camps, addictions rehabilitation, emergency disaster services, and work preventing modern slavery and human trafficking. “The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental provider of social services in Canada,” says Troughton. And every purchase and donation makes a positive impact on individuals and families in communities across Canada.
“Last year, we raised over $790,000 in additional support through our 98 thrift stores, all from the generosity of our guests, above the money we were able to generate from our operations,” says Troughton. “We also provided over 5,000 vouchers across the country at a value of $467,232. These vouchers give people in need the opportunity to come into our stores and have a dignified shopping experience at no charge and get the items that would most benefit them.”
A small thing like donating an old blouse or pair of jeans can really make a big difference, and if we all make that shift to thrift, we can help our environment, our neighbours, and the planet we all share together.
The power of inclusion
Throughout its dedication to sustainability and creating a strong social impact, The Salvation Army Thrift Store is also focused on equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion. The charity is committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where its shared communities — from its diverse employees and volunteers to its guests and donors — feel a strong sense of belonging.
“As part of that journey, we’re proud to be an official Employer Partner with the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion,” says Troughton. “This allows us to be more intentional about being more inclusive within our operations and our organization.”
And Troughton and Colyn stress that thrift is for everyone, regardless of who you are, where you come from, or how you identify.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store relies on donations of gently used clothing and household items and is in urgent need of donations. “A small thing like donating an old blouse or pair of jeans can really make a big difference, and if we all make that shift to thrift, we can help our environment, our neighbours, and the planet we all share together,” says Colyn.
Find a Salvation Army Thrift Store nearest to you at thriftstore.ca/locations to make an impact in your community — shop or donate today.
Read the Annual Impact Report here.
