Words by Smiley Team
Actress Sienna Miller is fronting this year’s #SecondHandSeptember campaign by Oxfam, to raise awareness about the harmful effects fast fashion have on the planet.
People send 13 million items of clothing a week to landfill, and the textile industry accounts for up to 10% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – more than international aviation and shipping combined. To help reduce emissions, Oxfam is asking consumers to only buy second-hand clothes for the month of September and donate their pre-loved items.
Shoppers can raise awareness by sharing their one-of-a-kind finds using #SecondHandSeptember and tagging @OxfamGB.
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Miller will feature on posters in the windows of more than 500 Oxfam shops nationwide, dressed to impress in Oxfam clothes, which will be available to buy in Oxfam’s pop-up shop in Selfridges, London.
Sienna Miller said: “I am delighted to be the face of Oxfam’s Second Hand September to help draw attention to how choosing second-hand fashion can be kinder for our planet. These small changes can make a huge difference. And rooting around in a charity shop is like hunting for treasure. Be a magpie! #secondhandseptember”.
People can support Second Hand September by shopping on the Oxfam Online Shop or by finding their local store using the online shop finder tool. Oxfam has 561 shops in the UK. You can also donate your own clothes for people to peruse. To make a clothing donation via the post, order a free bag here: https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/donate-clothes.
If you don’t have an Oxfam near you, avoid the high-street retailers and see what charity shops you have in your local area. Is there something you’re in need of that you could buy second-hand this month, instead of new?
[Read More: Fashion platform asks shoppers to buy less]
Second-hand powerhouse eBay is supporting Oxfam's Second Hand September for a second year running, championing the joy of buying and selling pre-loved items. This September, they will be matching pound-for-pound when any customer resells for Oxfam on eBay - you can donate up to 100% of the proceeds of any items you sell to Oxfam.
The more you spread the word about second-hand September, the more impact it will make. Why not encourage your family and friends to peruse charity shops this month, too? You could even take a tour around your local ones together.
Joules stores will be promoting "Don't Let Good Taste Go To Waste" which gives their customers the chance to give clothes a second chance and increase their lifespan.
To help customers give their pre-loved clothes a new lease of life, whilst having a positive impact on someone else’s, Superdry will be launching an in-store ‘Give Back’ scheme, which encourages customers to support a more sustainable lifestyle. By donating their pre-loved clothes through one of the 'Give Back' boxes, available in selected UK stores, Superdry will be twinning with their local Oxfam shops to not only support the revival of an item for resale, but also the communities they operate in.
Find out more about Second-Hand September on Oxfam's website.
