Second Hand September Campaign

SECOND HAND SEPTEMBER CAMPAIGN

The Second Hand September Campaign raises awareness about consumption habits and offers concrete alternatives. It also contributes to an economic justice for all and builds a more sustainable world by extending the life cycle of used clothes.

USEFUL FOR
- Managers and volunteer trainers, organisations working with volunteers
- Volunteers and operators in the organisations

TYPE OF TOOL
Campaign

MAIN FIELDS OF ACTION
Action on Economic Choices
Circular Economy
Social Economy
Sustainability
Taking Action

RELATED SDG
12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

DESCRIPTION

The aims of this campaign are:

  • Raising awareness about consumption habits and offering concrete alternatives: we have all experienced the feeling of fulfilment after buying something we like. But you can just as easily buy second-hand and feel just as euphoric. Ethical fashion or a vintage piece can be even more stylish than a new outfit, which would certainly be more expensive and much less respectful of people and the planet. Make the choice for fairer fashion by donating items in good condition or buying second-hand clothes.
  • Contributing to an economic justice for all.
  • Building a more sustainable world by extending the life cycle of used clothes.

 

Here are some concrete actions for to contribute to this campaign:

Try the challenge yourself!
For one month buy only second-hand clothes and “dress for the world you want to see”. By buying second-hand items or donating items in good condition, you are helping to build a fairer, more sustainable world. In Belgium, you can easily spot the OMDM second-hand shops by using this data base: https://oxfammagasinsdumonde.be/magasins-du-monde-oxfam

Donations
You can also donate your used clothes and shoes at collection points.

5 questions to have in mind before acquiring something:

  1. Is it made with respect for human rights and the planet? Textile workers earn an average of $5 for 12 hours' work.
  2. Made in...? Do you know the origin of your purchase? A new item of clothing travels an average of 20,000 km.
  3. Does this purchase contribute to a fairer economy? Buying second-hand means supporting a more local and socially responsible economy.
  4. Have I thought about recycling or sorting and donating before buying? In Belgium, we throw away between 9 and 16 kg of clothes a year.
  5. Do I really need it? On average, we only wear 30% of our purchases.

By asking yourself these five questions, you will be promoting smart fashion rather than fast fashion, and you will help to make fashion more ethical and sustainable.

Movie and debate
Watch the movie “Made in Bangladesh” and organise a film-debate evening. More info: https://www.fashionrevolution.org/usa-blog/made-in-bangladesh-the-movie-that-will-make-you-see-garment-workers-in-a-different-light

Share a few facts around you:

- Do you know the journey of a pair of jeans? From cotton field to shop, a pair of jeans can travel up to 65,000 km! In the interests of profitability, multinational companies outsource their production to developing countries. These clothes then have to travel many kilometres from the cotton field to the shop. The 4 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases generated by the textile industry result from the manufacture and transport of these products!

- What is behind the price of a T-shirt?
The price of a fast fashion T-shirt sold for €29 includes 8 components. The largest component, €17, corresponds to the margins of the end shop. Next, €3.6 go to the brand and €3.4 represent the cost of materials. Transport costs amount to €2.19, while €1.20 go to intermediaries. The factory margin is €1.15 and overheads come to €1.27. Finally, only €0.18 go to the worker's salary. The two main reasons why your T-shirt costs less are linked to the minimum wage that producers receive for creating it and the raw materials used, which are polluting and/or of poor quality.

- In Belgium, people throw away an average of 9 to 16 kg of clothing every year and it is estimated that 70% of our clothes remain unused in our wardrobes. It is even said that we could clothe the whole world for several years if we pooled all the textiles we already owned... So change starts with our behaviour and our choices! Donate the clothes you do not wear and think smart fashion instead of fast fashion.