Second Hand September is a simple idea with a big impact: for 30 days, choose secondhand instead of new.
It’s a global movement that asks us to pause before buying brand-new clothes or household goods and see what’s already out there. The aim is to cut waste, save resources and prove that small daily choices add up.
Here in Las Vegas, the message hits close to home. Opportunity Village has been part of this community for more than 70 years, and our thrift store is more than racks and shelves. Every purchase supports programs for Nevadans with intellectual and developmental disabilities while also keeping usable items out of the landfill.
That means when you take part in Second Hand September at the OV Thrift Store, you’re helping both the planet and your neighbors.
Why Second Hand September Matters to Las Vegas
In Nevada, recycling is still a work in progress, hovering around 20% per year, despite state goals of 25%. The rest of our waste (an overwhelming majority) heads straight to landfill.
That matters here because we live in a desert. Southern Nevada’s relentless sunshine, scarce water, and growing energy demands make mindful consumption non-negotiable. Every new item manufactured, shipped, and discarded uses resources that are precious in our city.
Enter: thrifting. Choosing secondhand is a smart shopping move, yes, but it’s also a low-key, powerful way to cut down on waste and stretch the water and energy we already have. Let’s take a quick look at the environmental benefits of thrifting.
Reduce Landfill Waste for Second Hand September (Vegas Style)
Las Vegas residents send a staggering amount of trash to the Apex Regional Landfill, one of the world’s largest. It covers about 2,200 acres (nearly 1,250 soccer fields). And it has room for waste for the next 250 years, processing more than 9,000 tons a day.
So when you opt for thrifted treasures instead of always buying new, you’re doing more than saving a buck. You’re directly lightening the load on our city’s most visible environmental challenge.
Even better, donating and shopping at the OV Thrift Store lets you act locally with big impact.
Every item you bring to the OV Thrift Store is another thing diverted from landfills. Stop here first to donate or shop near downtown Las Vegas.
Lower Your Carbon Footprint Without Leaving Town
Ordering online feels easy, but it comes with a cost you don’t see. Every package moves through warehouses, trucks, and sometimes planes before it reaches your door. All those miles add up to extra emissions. And did you know that a lot of online clothing returns don’t get restocked? They often end up in landfill instead.
In America, nearly 5 billion pounds of returned goods are sent to landfills every year. That’s more than 14 Empire State Buildings’ worth of returned stuff dumped — every single year.
By contrast, thrifting in Las Vegas keeps it simple. When you shop or donate locally, the goods stay right here. No shipping trucks or piles of packaging. Just a shorter trip for you, and a much lighter load on the planet.
Conserve Resources in the Desert
Las Vegas knows what it means to live with limits. Every drop of water counts in the Mojave, and Southern Nevada has worked hard to cut daily use. Even so, the average household here still uses about 89 gallons of water a day.
Now compare that to fashion manufacturing. It takes roughly 700 gallons to make a single cotton t-shirt, and around 1,000 gallons for one pair of jeans. In other words, one new outfit can use up more than double the water than you normally would in an entire week.
You skip that hidden water bill when you buy secondhand. Thrifting means extending the life of what already exists, instead of demanding more from the rivers and reservoirs that keep our desert city alive.
How to Participate in Second Hand September in Las Vegas
Let’s make this easy (and local).
Step 1: Start by donating
Begin your 30-day thrift journey with a drop-off at Opportunity Village Thrift Store. Donations of gently used clothing, homewares and books help fund life-changing programs for Nevada locals.
Tip: Before heading over or requesting a pick up, check the Donate Goods page to confirm what items we can accept.
Step 2: Thrift your heart out
Make a plan to shop local for the next 30 days. The OV Thrift Store is your community hub, with fresh finds coming in daily and regular 50% off sales* that makes the hunt even more rewarding.
Vegas locals also know about the thrift store’s weekly discount days:
- Mondays: Select color tags for just 99¢.*
- Tuesdays: Service Appreciation — first responders, teachers and military save 30%.*
- Wednesdays: Seniors 55+ enjoy 50% off store-wide.*
Want to catch the latest deals? Follow @ovthriftstore on Instagram for updates and sale announcements.
Each stop you make keeps goods circulating, supports community causes, and lightens the load on our landfills.
Step 3: Share your secondhand finds
Help us spread the word by posting your favorite thrifted items on Instagram. Tag your post with #SecondHandSeptember and @ovthriftstore. A snap of your vintage tee or upcycled find could inspire someone else to join the effort.
That brings us to our bonus tip: Got a great find? Fix it, refresh it, or style it in your own way — upcycling makes thrift even more rewarding.
The OV Thrift Store Difference — Right Here in Las Vegas
Not all thrift stores are created equal. At the Opportunity Village Thrift Store, every purchase is a win-win-win (yes, we meant to include the third win).
- Community programs: Sales help fund vital services for Nevadans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, from job training to arts and social programs.
- Local jobs: The store itself creates employment opportunities right here in Las Vegas, giving people valuable skills and steady work.
- Environmental relief: Each donated item gets a second life, keeping more out of landfill and easing the demand for new manufacturing.
When you choose the OV Thrift Store, you’re not just saving money or finding something unique. You’re joining a 70+ year legacy of supporting your neighbors and protecting our desert home.
Want to make an even bigger difference? Start with a donation. The Donate Goods page has everything you need to know about what to bring and how it helps.
