I can’t tell you how many awesome shirts, skirts and jackets I’ve found over the course of a year at various thrift store locations. One of my favorites that I must share — this awesome sequined shirt, courtesy of Goodwill‘s Patton Avenue location in Asheville. It was only $3. What a steal!

But what’s even more awesome about shopping for clothes at thrift stores is the impact you’re having on our environment. By donating and shopping for second-hand clothing you are putting the three R’s into practice. You’re reducing the amount of packaging, plastic shopping bags, textiles and electronics that end up in landfills, and you’re reusing and recycling items that don’t need to be thrown away (or in the case of my pink sequined shirt, NEVER should be thrown away).

Goodwill Industries alone reported keeping 38,886,595 pounds of clothing and other items from ending up in landfills in 2009. That’s 2,632,475 pounds of computers; 2,129,793 pounds of metal; 1,439,711 pounds of cardboard; 285,862 pounds of purses; 800,095 pounds of shoes; 2,531,919 pounds of books; and 29,066,742 pounds of textile clothing. Holy cow!

So next time you’re looking for a new pair of boots to match that dress, how about stopping by Goodwill, the Salvation Army or, if you’re in Raleigh, Father & Son Antiques, first?