Published
Aug 30, 2019
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Oxfam launches campaign as new study reaffirms fashion’s climate threat

Published
Aug 30, 2019

Oxfam is inviting Britons to join its Second Hand September campaign and not to buy any new clothes for the whole month as it reveals the damaging effect of the UK’s fast-fashion culture on the environment.



According to a study commissioned by the charity, the UK’s fast-fashion sector is not only creating a waste problem, but also contributing to climate change. 

Oxfam said new clothes bought in the UK produce more carbon emissions per minute than driving a car around the world six times.

More than two tonnes of clothing are bought each minute in the UK, producing nearly 50 tonnes of carbon emissions. 

Buying one new white cotton shirt produces the same amount of emissions as driving a car for 35 miles. The figure is based on a 100% cotton shirt with a net weight of 220 grams, which amounts to 10.75kg of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

This is because an item of clothing could travel 21,748 miles - from a cotton field in the U.S, to production units in Bangladesh, to the shipment of the product to Germany and finally to the customer.

But it seems that half of consumers are not aware of this and other fast-fashion issues, a study of 1,000 British adults has found.

Danny Sriskandarajah, Oxfam’s Chief Executive said: “These staggering facts about fashion's impact on the planet and the world’s poorest people should make us all think twice before buying something new to wear.

"We are in a climate emergency - we can no longer turn a blind eye to the emissions produced by new clothes or turn our backs on garment workers paid a pittance who are unable to earn their way out of poverty no matter how many hours they work.”

According to the charity, the UK could save the same amount of emissions as flying a plane around the world 900 times if everybody took part on Second Hand September.

“As consumers, it’s in our power to make a real difference. Buying second-hand clothes helps to slow the ferocious fast fashion cycle, giving garments a second lease of life,” Danny Sriskandarajah continued.

“By taking part in Oxfam’s Second Hand September, we are also sending a clear message to the clothing industry that we don’t want to buy clothes that harm our planet and the people in it.”

Previous research estimated that 1,130,000 tonnes of clothing were purchased in the UK in 2016 – an increase of 200,000 tonnes from 2012. The average adult spends £27 a month in fast-fashion outlets, and owns two items which remain unworn. One sixth own as many as five unworn items.

The survey also found that whilst 30% of shoppers are shocked at how much damage fast-fashion has on the environment, they probably won’t change their habits. Additionally, 10% admitted they are ‘not bothered’ about the impact their shopping has on the environment.

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