Consumers across Wales are being urged to only buy pre-loved clothing for 30 days or more in order to tackle a throwaway culture that Oxfam Cymru says is making climate change worse.
Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign comes ahead of the UN climate summit COP26, which will be held in Glasgow in November, and is a vital opportunity for global leaders to take decisive action to tackle the climate emergency.
Consumers send 13 million items of clothing a week to landfill, and the textile industry accounts for around 10 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than international aviation and shipping combined.
To help reduce emissions, Oxfam is asking consumers across Wales to only buy second-hand clothes for the month of September and to donate their pre-loved items. Shoppers are being urged to raise awareness of the benefits of shopping second-hand by sharing their one-of-a-kind finds pledge using #SecondHandSeptember and tagging Oxfam on social media.
Lawrence Lomas, Oxfam’s Retail Area Manager for Wales, said: “We have been warned for years about the worsening effects of climate change on our planet and after the UN declared a code red for humanity, this warning could not be starker. World leaders must act quickly to slow down, and hopefully reduce, the devastation humanity could face, while also supporting poorer communities around the world who are feeling the deadly impacts of climate change first and worst.
“Against this backdrop, we’re encouraging people across Wales to reflect on how they can individually leave a lighter footprint on the planet. Please buy clothing, shoes and accessories from our amazing Welsh Oxfam Shops – especially this September. We have beautiful items to meet every budget. You will not only be updating your wardrobe, but you will helping slow down fast fashion and contribute towards Oxfam’s life changing work. You can also support Second Hand September by donating your pre-loved items to your local Oxfam shop or even considering joining one of our fantastic teams as a volunteer!”
Around the world, Oxfam is helping people cope with severe weather events, as well as plan for the consequences of future climate change.
Ahead of COP26, Oxfam is also demanding urgent and decisive climate action from world leaders to urgently reduce global emissions and significantly increase finance to help communities worldwide to survive and thrive despite the climate crisis.
Oxfam Cymru says that across the UK, 14,000 tonnes of clothing each year (over 47 million items) are diverted from landfill through being donated to Oxfam. Second Hand September encourages consumers to reduce, reuse, recycle and reinvest to create a greener, fairer future for everyone.
Every garment sold raises money to fight poverty around the world: one dress could raise enough money to buy drought/flood-resistant seeds for a family to keep growing food despite a changing climate.
Oxfam has 20 high street shops across Wales, complemented by the Oxfam Online Shop, a virtual treasure trove of tens of thousands of second-hand items.
People can also support Second Hand September by shopping on the Oxfam Online Shop or by volunteering in one of Oxfam’s shops. Find out more about volunteering here: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-with-us/volunteer-in-an-oxfam-shop/
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For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Media and Communications Adviser, Scotland and Wales: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450
Notes to Editors
- The textile industry accounts for around 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions –that’s more than international aviation and shipping combined. Source: UNEP: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/putting-brakes-fast-fashion
- Get involved in Oxfam’s #SecondHandSeptember initiative by buying only second-hand clothes for 30 days or more and donating your pre-loved items. Learn more at oxfam.org.uk/second-hand-september
- Oxfam has more than 70 years’ experience championing second-hand. The first shop was opened in Broad Street, Oxford, in 1948 to raise money from the donations of second-hand items for the Greek famine.
- 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.
- Oxfam has 561 shops in the UK. By buying and donating your clothes through Oxfam shops, you can help to protect our planet, while helping the poorest people around the world to escape the injustice of poverty. To find your local Oxfam shop go to oxfam.org.uk/shopfinder. Visit Oxfam’s Online Shop at www.oxfam.org.uk/shop
- To make a clothing donation via the post, order a free bag here: https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/donate-clothes