Second Hand September starts today!
Oxfam, the leading charity fighting global poverty, has set up Second Hand September which starts today (Friday 1 September), encouraging people to shop second hand to reduce waste, take a stance against climate change, and help create a fairer world.
The charity encourages us to shop second hand and donate, reuse, rewear, and restyle during September and beyond. Since 2019 Second Hand September has inspired thousands of people to shop in a way that is kinder to people and the planet.
When a new pair of jeans is made, an estimated 16.2kg of CO2 is emitted, the equivalent of driving over 58 miles in a car! But by recirculating our clothes (buying, wearing and donating second hand) we can help reduce the demand for new clothes, which in turn helps to reduce the damage to our planet.
Reasons we need a sustainable approach to fashion include:
- fast fashion clothes are produced in high volume which means a high cost to the plant (10% of global CO2 emissions are caused by the textile industry, which is more than international aviation and shipping combined);
- the fashion industry produces 20% of global wastewater, which is anticipated to increase to 50% by 2030;
- in the UK we buy more clothes per person than any other country in Europe;
- around 300,000 tonnes of clothing end up in household bins every year, with around 20% going to landfill and 80% incinerated;
- clothes are produced cheaply which often means low wages and poor working conditions;
- 20 to 35% of all primary source microplastics in the marine environment are from synthetic clothing;
- while incineration of unsold stock "recovers" some energy from the products, it multiples the climate impact of the product by generating further emissions and air pollutants;
- the average consumer now buys 60% more clothing than they did 15 years ago.
Donate your clothes
When your wardrobe is getting full, there are many ways to avoid your clothes going to landfill.
By donating your pre-loved clothes to charity, either by a charity shop or a clothing or textile bank, you are giving them another life, reducing waste, and helping support important causes.
Shop second hand
The fashion industry is one of the worst offenders for greenhouse gas emissions, whilst those who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are facing the very real consequences.
Some tips for second hand shopping include:
- think ahead and buy your Summer wardrobe in Autumn, and your Winter wardrobe in Spring, as charity shops often put on end of season sales;
- be open minded, and try lots of different brands;
- visit charity shops or try online stores such as eBay and Vinted for pre-loved pieces;
- be prepared to sometimes leave empty handed, as you may not always find exactly what you are looking for.
Make and mend
Instead of throwing out clothes due to a tear or not fitting correctly, see if you can repair your items or make some of your own.
If sewing isn't a talent of yours you could always go to seamstress or alterations professional. Although this option is not free, it may be cheaper than buying from a fast fashion brand, and is kinder on the planet.
Make clothes last longer
To extend the life of your clothes, and reduce your eco impact, you can:
- before you wash, zip up zips, button up buttons, fasten any velcro, and turn your clothes inside out, so hard parts are less likely to catch on other pieces of clothing or the machine drum;
- air dry instead of tumble drying, as tumble drying is energy-intensive, expensive, and can wear out your clothes over time, whereas air drying uses zero energy, is completely free, and can even help tackle stains;
- wait until you really need to wash your clothes, as the more you wash the more you will wear them out, and wait until you have a full load (roughly 3/4 of the drum);
- keep clothes out of any light which fades colours faster, and ensure clothes are completely dry before putting them away;
- fold some items of clothing, like jumpers, instead of hanging, to prevent thread pulls.
For more information on this subject, see:
