Take part in Oxfam's Second-Hand September
Our collective conscience has been pricked for quite a few years now by the terrifying message about the landfill we create with our constant purchase of fast fashion. Oxfam rose to the challenge and its Second-Hand September campaign is now a permanent date in the calendar where we can all pledge not to buy any new clothes for the duration.
They say: “We’ll give you all the fast-fashion facts, second-hand shopping tips and inspiration you need to make your 30 days of no new clothes a breeze. Saying yes to second hand stops great clothes from going to landfill – giving them a longer life.”
Oxfam has discovered that every week 13 million items of clothing end up in landfill and reports that the environmental consequences of the fast fashion industry are huge, creating more CO2 emissions than aviation and shipping combined.
There is no getting away from it: our love of poorly and unethically made throwaway fashion is putting unsustainable pressure on our planet.
Danny Sriskandarajah, Oxfam’s Chief Executive, says: “These staggering facts about fashion’s impact on the planet and the world’s poorest people should make us all think twice before buying something new to wear.
“We are in a climate emergency. As consumers, it’s in our power to make a real difference. Buying second-hand clothes helps to slow the ferocious fast-fashion cycle, giving garments a second lease of life. By taking part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September, we are also sending a clear message to the clothing industry that we don’t want to buy clothes that harm our planet and the people in it.”
Think before you buy
Here are some thought provoking facts to consider before clicking 'buy' next time you're shopping.
• Every year, up to 40% of all clothing manufactured globally is never sold.
• By 2050, the amount of unworn clothes globally could almost stretch from Earth to Mars and back.
• A staggering 1.6 billion unused items of clothes are currently owned by the UK population. Are you one of the culprits?
• 99% of a UK clothing item's life is spent in the closet, only being worn for less than 5 days on average
What can you do ?
Second Hand September is all about challenging yourself to create more sustainable shopping habits for a fairer future – without compromising on style. Here are some ideas to get you going.
Reduce your waste – Save great clothes from ending up in landfill.
Reuse by choosing to shop second hand - Every garment that Oxfam sells raises money to fight poverty around the world.
Recycle clothes when you no longer want to wear them. – Don't let your unworn clothes linger at the back of your wardrobe. Give them a new lease of life via an Oxfam shop.
Reinvest by shopping with Oxfam - The message is simple, when you shop at Oxfam you’re supporting communities to stand up and speak out for their right to a fairer and greener future.
Share your second-hand finds
As well as signing up to their pledge, Oxfam is encouraging people to share their second-hand finds or upcycled items on Instagram and Twitter, using the hashtag #SecondHandSeptember and tagging @oxfamGB. Get inspiration by exploring #secondhandseptember on Instagram.
Take the pledge
It’s time to take inspiration from this incredible charity’s rallying cry: “Oxfam is a global movement of people all working towards the same goal – an end to the injustice of poverty.
“Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters, help people earn a living, and speak out on the big issues, like inequality and climate change, that keep people poor. Join us!”
Here are some thought provoking facts to consider before clicking 'buy' next time you're shopping.
• Every year, up to 40% of all clothing manufactured globally is never sold.
• By 2050, the amount of unworn clothes globally could almost stretch from Earth to Mars and back.
• A staggering 1.6 billion unused items of clothes are currently owned by the UK population. Are you one of the culprits?
• 99% of a UK clothing item's life is spent in the closet, only being worn for less than 5 days on average
What can you do ?
Second Hand September is all about challenging yourself to create more sustainable shopping habits for a fairer future – without compromising on style. Here are some ideas to get you going.
Reduce your waste – Save great clothes from ending up in landfill.
Reuse by choosing to shop second hand - Every garment that Oxfam sells raises money to fight poverty around the world.
Recycle clothes when you no longer want to wear them. – Don't let your unworn clothes linger at the back of your wardrobe. Give them a new lease of life via an Oxfam shop.
Reinvest by shopping with Oxfam - The message is simple, when you shop at Oxfam you’re supporting communities to stand up and speak out for their right to a fairer and greener future.
Share your second-hand finds
As well as signing up to their pledge, Oxfam is encouraging people to share their second-hand finds or upcycled items on Instagram and Twitter, using the hashtag #SecondHandSeptember and tagging @oxfamGB. Get inspiration by exploring #secondhandseptember on Instagram.
Take the pledge
It’s time to take inspiration from this incredible charity’s rallying cry: “Oxfam is a global movement of people all working towards the same goal – an end to the injustice of poverty.
“Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters, help people earn a living, and speak out on the big issues, like inequality and climate change, that keep people poor. Join us!”
