Second Hand September
Let's fight the climate crisis in style!
Taking part in Second Hand September is a powerful way of recycling and buying stylish outfits that don't cost the earth.
By shopping second hand and more sustainably, you're giving clothes a longer life, slowing down fast fashion, and helping to protect our planet.
Why Second Hand September?
Millions of items of clothing end up in landfills across Ireland every year. These textiles are decomposing in the ground, destroying our environment.
Immense pressure is being placed on our planet and people in communities most affected by the climate crisis, but you can take action!
Join us this September and dress for the world you want- a fairer world for those affected by the climate crisis, and a better world for us all.
The right thing for you and the planet
We have 46 shops across the island of Ireland.
We are always on the lookout for high-quality, pre-loved clothes, accessories, handbags and shoes. If your items are clean and reusable, we'd be delighted to recirculate them and contribute to a more circular economy.
GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Ready to win BIG this Second Hand September?
You could be the lucky winner of an iPad, a weaving workshop, and a Steaming Iron!
Get ready to level up your tech game, unleash your creative side, and make your clothes look pristine with these incredible prizes. Don't miss out!
Hang on to your clothes!
Rory O'Neill aka Panti, notes that he has become much more environmentally conscious over the years when it comes to buying clothes.
He encourages people to keep their clothes. Fashion is like a carousel. While trends come and go by the month, they usually always come back around.
Extending the life of your clothes helps the environment and your pocket!
In 2022, Oxfam Ireland diverted 2,538,562 items away from landfill and incineration.
"If you hang onto things as long as I have, things come back into fashion and things that you wouldn't have thought about wearing 10 years ago, they come back around. So just hang on to them."
"Clothes can also hold powerful memories."
Rory reflects on a green sequin dress that he has kept, as he wore it on stage at the 3Arena with U2 in 2015. Rory sees the dress as a powerful representation of how much Ireland, and his place within it, has changed since he started doing drag at 19 years old.
Share the Buzz!
#SecondHandSeptember
Share your secondhand finds on social media and join an incredible community of pre-loved devotees! Explore Second Hand September on Instagram.
10 Facts about the fashion industry
1. The fashion industry is a major polluter due to fast fashion's high production volume.
2. The textile sector contributes 10% to global pollution.
3. It would take 13 years to drink the water needed to make one t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
4. The surge in textile production and the decline in clothing prices have fueled the 'fast fashion' phenomenon.
5. Clothes are produced cheaply, which often means low wages and poor working conditions for garment workers.
6. Less than 1% of global textiles are recycled, according to the Government of Ireland Waste Action Plan.
7. This cycle not only harms the environment but disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, perpetuating inequality.
8. Prolonging the active use of clothing by just nine months could lead to a 20-30% reduction in carbon emissions, water usage, and waste generation.
9. Engaging with Oxfam shops not only generates vital support for marginalised communities and combats inequality but also aids environmental protection.
10. Remarkably, clothing takes up to 200 years to decompose fully, underscoring the need to embrace sustainable choices such as second-hand clothing, particularly this September.
Now that you have the facts, we've got all the second-hand shopping tips and inspiration you'll need to start your journey towards shopping more sustainably.
Say YES to Second Hand September
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Oxfam Ireland is a registered charity in Ireland. Charity Regulatory Authority number 20009946; Revenue Number CHY 5988; Company Number 284292.
We are also registered in Northern Ireland. Charity Commision for NI Number NIC100848; Revenue Number HMRC XN89681; Company Number NI33800.
Oxfam Ireland is a member of the international confederation Oxfam.
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