Why Buy Second-Hand This September?
Could you make no new clothing purchases for 30 days? That is the challenge set by Oxfam each September to highlight the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Many of us are unaware of the resources used to produce every item of clothing we wear. For example, did you know that the equivalent of 20,000 standard bottles of water is used to make just one pair of jeans and a t-shirt? Yet, many communities where the clothes are made have limited access to fresh water.
Why Second-Hand is Better for the Environment and Consumers
Further reasons to consider buying second-hand clothes include the fact that 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are traced back to the fashion industry. Unfortunately, many clothes are disposed of without ever being worn and many more after just a few wears. The UK alone disposes of 206,456 tonnes of textile waste* a year. That’s a lot of waste, with around 57% is incinerated and some dumped in landfill.
So, the challenge of no new purchases through September can reduce this impact. You may aim to make no clothing purchases in September, or follow the lead from Oxfam and buy second-hand instead. Fortunately, charity shops and online selling platforms offer items in every size, style, colour and fabric. Therefore, with a bit of searching, you can find the ideal addition to your wardrobe.
The benefits of buying second-hand include:
- Finding styles and colours that suit you, but aren’t currently in fashion
- Discovering a retro gem that makes you the envy of your peers
- Being able to afford brands that are usually out of your price range
- Getting more for your budget
Not Just Second-Hand Clothing
Although Second Hand September focuses on fashion, many other preloved items are regularly bought and sold. Statista** lists some of the most popular, which include books and homeware.
Have you got boxes of stuff in the loft that you no longer need? Is there a cupboard full of games and toys that the family has grown out of? Rather than cluttering up space, you could sort, donate or sell those items in Second Hand September. They could be just what someone else has been looking for!
If this sounds like a good idea, Which? has researched the best places to buy and sell preloved items online, with Vinted taking the top slot. Alternatively, you could give items to a charity shop or a local organisation.
Products & Packaging Designed for Reuse
Extending the lifespan of goods is not just down to consumers; producers need to take responsibility for reducing unnecessary resource use and waste.
With a focus on longevity, more products and packaging could be designed for reuse. As designers and manufacturers, we need to rethink what we produce and how this can transform from a linear to a circular model. That includes options to repair and refill.
It’s great to see some good practices being introduced. For example, M&S has teamed with SOJO to offer a clothing repair service. By completing an online form, customers can now book an appointment to give much-loved items a second lease of life. This includes invisible mending and zip replacements. In addition, the High Street faithful is providing ‘How to’ videos to provide buyers with care and repair advice that will extend the life of their purchases.
Many online brands now encourage customers to use the original e-commerce packaging to make returns. This is made possible by adding tear and reseal strips to the box design. While it is not a legal requirement to reuse the packaging, it makes sense. If the boxes were sufficiently robust to send the goods, the risk of damage to returns is minimised if they are reused. What’s more, it saves the customer money.
Second Hand on the Catwalk
If you still need convincing to buy second-hand, you might like to know that eBay’s first preloved catwalk show will feature in this year’s London Fashion Week. Therefore, this is a very of-the-moment shopping trend.
* https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/your-waste/textile-recycling/fashion-waste-facts-and-statistics/
** https://www.statista.com/forecasts/997906/most-common-second-hand-purchases-by-category-in-the-uk
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