What is Secondhand September and How Do I Take Part?

What is Secondhand September?

As fall rolls in, so does Secondhand September – a month-long initiative to encourage people to forego new clothing purchases and instead choose a more planet-friendly way to shop by embracing pre-loved pieces.

This movement was started by Oxfam and aims to spotlight environmental and social impacts of fast fashion while promoting a more sustainable approach to personal style by shopping secondhand. 

Shopping secondhand has many benefits, and it’s good for both your wallet & the planet! Instead of impulsively buying new arrivals, new trends, and opting for pre-loved items, you are not only saving money but building a deeper relationship with your own personal style, which is key to reducing overconsumption. 

What are the effects of the Fast Fashion Industry?

Fast fashion has created a trend of overproduction, overconsumption and waste and it’s causing detrimental effects on the planet and the people involved in its production.

• Environmental Impact: The fashion industry is responsible for about 10% of global emissions, surpassing the combined emissions from international flights and maritime shipping. It also takes approximately 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton shirt—a volume equivalent to the drinking needs of one person over three years. 
• Waste Generation: Fast fashion is made to be disposed – and because the styles are typically trend-forward, they are overproduced and then incinerated or disposed of when they can’t be sold. Every single year, the equivalent of one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second. In the U.S. alone, an estimated 11.3 million tons of textile waste (equivalent to 85% of all textiles) ends up in landfills on a yearly basis.
  
  This results in large landfills of clothing waste in places like Chile, Ghana, Kenya, and more. This is an incredibly sore sight, and this is what the industry of fast fashion has generated and continues to add to.
  
  
  
• Labor Concerns: Many fast fashion brands rely on exploitative labor practices. Workers often face unsafe conditions and are paid low wages, contributing to a cycle of poverty and poor working conditions.

These statistics are just the beginning of the impact that fast fashion has on the world. There is an incredibly URGENT need to rethink our shopping habits and consider the broader implications of clothing choices. 

What can I do? 

There are a variety of more sustainable ways to renew your closet, or recycle your clothes. And it’s important to know that switching to a more sustainable wardrobe does not mean that you’re sacrificing style or quality, either. Here are some effective ways to update your wardrobe responsibly during Secondhand September:

1. Thrifting
   One of the most straightforward ways to participate in Secondhand September is right in its name: shopping secondhand! Thrift stores offer a treasure trove of unique, affordable items that reduce the demand for new production.
   
   The number of times a garment is worn has declined by around 36% in 15 years. The throwaway culture has worsened progressively over the years. Shopping secondhand is a great way to not only find something new-to-you, but giving a piece of clothing another life.
   
   
2. Clothing Swaps
   Clothing swaps are popping up in major cities more often and they are a great way to refresh your wardrobe without spending a penny or generating waste. If you have clothes in your wardrobe that are in good condition, but no longer your style, you can bring them to a clothing swap to exchange with something new-to-you.
   
   
3. Textile Recycling
   We carry the Textile Recycling Bag, where you can send in your old textiles (and shoes too!) to be sustainably recycled and repurposed into something new. This helps divert textiles from the landfill, where they can take years to break down, and instead supports a circular revolution and more sustainable fashion practice. 
   

   Textile Recycling Bag This bag is the answer for your old clothes, mismatched socks, linens, and more! Instead of throwing in the landfill, textiles sent in to Trashie using this bag are sustainably recycled and repurposed into new materials and products.  Plus, receive $30 in TrashieCash for each bag you send in to spend at other retailers!  SHOP NOW

4. Upcycling, DIY, Mending
   Instead of throwing away items with rips, stains, or damage, get creative with upcycling or visibly mending your products! Turn old garments into new pieces or refurbish them to give them a fresh new look. There are so many tutorials online, as well as local mending workshops, that can guide you in transforming your old to new.
   
   
5. Secondhand Online Platforms
   Another way to renew your closet sustainably is to shop on secondhand online platforms like Depop, Poshmark, ThredUp and Mercari. These platforms provide a wide range of pre-loved clothing and accessories, and often at a fraction of the retail price. If local events and thrift stores are limited in your area, these apps can be a great way for you to not only sell your pre-loved items, but to buy as well.
   
   
6. Supporting Sustainable Brands
   This stands for all items you purchase, not just clothing. If you do buy new, opt for brands that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. For clothing, look for certifications like Fair Trade or organic materials, or are transparent with where their products are made and have audits in place.
   
   Tare Market provides more sustainable and zero-waste options for your everyday living. All products are vetted prior to bringing them into the store to ensure they are safe, non-toxic, and plastic-free alternatives to the traditional options in the marketplace.
   
   Supporting sustainable brands may end up being more expensive, but you are buying a higher quality item designed to last you longer. These items are also not produced in bulk and use renewable resources.

Secondhand September is not just a challenge, but an opportunity to rethink our approach to fashion. It’s a month-long movement that we hope will inspire life-long shopping habits. By opting for pre-loved items, participating in clothing swaps, and supporting sustainable practices and brands, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint and promote ethical consumption. 

Are you partaking in Secondhand September? We’d love to see the treasures you’ve found!

Sources:

• https://www.fashionrevolution.org/how-to-take-part-in-secondhand-september/
• https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/
• https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2019/09/23/costo-moda-medio-ambiente
• https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/?_kx=c7gjT5lyrxLUlzHiadyVRw.TUzZJZ