Buying second-hand fashion would prevent the equivalent emissions of flying around the world 17,000 times, says Oxfam

If all UK adults bought half of their next wardrobe second-hand, it could prevent a whopping 12.5 billion kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere, new Oxfam research reveals today. This is the equivalent to a plane flying around the world more than 17,000 times.  

The findings launch Oxfam’s annual Second Hand September campaign, which encourages people across West Wales to shop preloved and donate what they no longer need or wear for 30 days.

According to the climate action charity WRAP, the average adult wardrobe consists of 106 items, and Oxfam’s research shows that if half of those items had been bought second-hand, billions of harmful emissions created by the manufacturing of new clothes would have been prevented. Currently, only 10 per cent of wardrobe contents are second-hand. 

 Choosing second-hand fashion extends the life of clothes, reducing the need for brand-new clothes which produce climate-damaging emissions when they are manufactured.

 Derrick Noakes, Shop Manager at Oxfam’s Haverford West store, is urging shoppers across Pembrokeshire to make a powerful fashion statement this September by dressing for the world they want.  

He said: “Taking part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September is a powerful way of extending the life of clothes by buying stylish outfits that don’t cost the earth. It makes a statement about who we are while helping to reshape the fashion industry and reimagine the impact our clothes have on the world.

“We all have the power to make choices that reclaim our clothes and our planet, and by shopping with Oxfam you’re also reinvesting your money into helping to create a fairer world with justice for the communities affected by the climate crisis.”

Further findings from Oxfam show that if each adult in the UK donated all the clothes that they have not worn in the past year to charity shops, with these used again by someone else, it could remove the need for 4.9 billion kg carbon entering the atmosphere. That is equivalent to a plane flying around the world more than 6,600 times. 

The calculations come amid rising awareness of the negative effects of the fashion industry, which accounts for 10 per cent of global carbon emissions – more than international aviation and shipping combined.  

 Swansea based sustainable fashion influencer Rachel Pridmore is backing the Second Hand September campaign. Rachel, who has over 136,000 followers on Instagram, is encouraging people across Wales to get involved.

 Rachel said: “Charity shopping has had a total image transformation in recent years: it’s now about creating unique looks while also living more sustainably. By supporting Second Hand September everyone can do their bit to help the planet: because if we ruin this one there is no planet B.”

Oxfam is calling for people in Pembrokeshire and across the rest of Wales to dress for the world they want this September by pledging to shop second-hand and donate all of their unwanted clothes to Oxfam.