OXFAM asks public to shop second-hand

New research by Oxfam shows that if each adult in the UK donated the clothes they have not worn in the past year to charity shops, it could remove the need for close to 5 billion kg carbon entering the atmosphere.

And, according to WRAP, the average adult wardrobe consists of 118 items*, but only 10% of wardrobe contents are second-hand.

It’s widely accepted that climate change is hitting the world’s poorest communities hardest. Choosing second-hand fashion not only extends the life of clothes, but it reduces the need for additional manufacturing which contributes to climate-damaging emissions.

The findings, launched ahead of Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign, encourage all of us to shop preloved and donate what we no longer need or wear. Since the first Second Hand September in 2019, increasing numbers of shoppers, activists and people within the fashion industry are choosing second-hand fashion.

Aston spoke to Prof Carolyn Mair, cognitive psychologist in the fashion industry.

Photo by Lauren Fleischmann on Unsplash