An initiative that brings change
The campaign Wear Not Waste was launched by Gloucestershire Recycles, a partnership between Gloucestershire County Council (in the north of England) and the county’s six district councils, with a clothes swap kit. The kit consists of rails, hangers, signs and mirrors to help people easily organise a clothes swap.
The campaign aims to show the British public that it is possible not to throw away their clothes as soon as they are no longer used, but rather to organise a clothes swap, sell them, donate them, repair them instead of throwing them away or simply recycle them. A guide to organising a clothes swap is also available for citizens interested in clothing care.
“It’s a great way to save money and fight climate change,” said Councilor David Gray.
A study to support this
According to the online resale platform Thred Up’s annual report, produced in partnership with third-party retail analytics firm GlobalData, published in March 2024, sales of second-hand products could well surpass those of online sales by 2030.
According to the data collected, the global second-hand clothing market will continue to swell in the coming years, reaching up to $350 billion in merchandise value by 2028.
This work also highlights the importance of government actions in changing people’s consumption patterns. While the growth of the second-hand market continues to increase, it is still necessary to act to encourage new people to take part.
Second Hand September
A national awareness month called Second Hand September has been launched by OXFAM (Oxford Committee for Relief Famine), an international non-governmental organization fighting against poverty and inequality. During these thirty days (or more), it suggests buying only second-hand goods.
The goal is to rethink consumption and to act against inequalities in the clothing sector, particularly against Fast Fashion, fast and especially disposable fashion which has a major impact on human beings but also on the planet. Because buying second-hand also means contributing to a more sustainable consumption of things.
