College students are always trying to find a good bargain and the best deals are on fast fashion websites which get students’ clothes trendy, cheap and quick. Yet, this quick process that helps the wallet, ends up hurting the environment.

Students like Abby Lawrence say that websites like Shein are great because of “the prices.” She says “as a student we already broke, but at the same time we want to look cute, so we go on Shein and the stuff is like four dollars, and you can get anything on there.”

This helps the students stay on trend with the latest fashions, which seem to change every three months and saves them money so they are able to buy food, pay rent and pay for gas.

As helpful as this is for students, Environmental Science Professor Vincent Wilson says that these textiles that are synthetic are not easy to break down when thrown out, as compared to organic materials like silk and cotton. “Microbes aren’t ready to attack them, and things do not break down as easily.” So, these clothes end up sitting in the landfill waiting to be broken down.

According to the United Nation Environment Program, 92 tons of textiles get wasted per year with less than one percent being recycled, the rest of those clothes head to the landfill.

Local businesses like The Pink Elephant are working to change that number, no matter how small. WIth an emphasis on shopping local, vintage and second-hand to save the environment, owner Lisa Pellisier highlights “anything you’re getting here is well-made, it has survived all of this time and it is unique.”

To be in that unique number whilst also helping the environment, Baton Rouge houses over 50 second-hand and vintage stores across the Parish, all filled with clothes that are timeless.