Generation thrift -Oxfam encourage young shoppers to be Second Hand September champions

• Saying yes to second hand? You’re not the only one –join Oxfam for Second Hand September
• Oxfam calls on people to say yes to pre-loved clothes for month of September

Oxfam Ireland is gearing up for their third annual Second Hand September campaign across the island of Ireland. By asking people to say yes to second hand clothes for 30 days, the aid agency wants to raise awareness about the harm and impact throwaway fashion has on both our planet and its people, as well as the role their shops and trading activities play in offering a solution.

Oxfam started #SecondHandSeptember in 2019, amid growing demand from shoppers wanting more sustainable and ethical clothing options. A demand that continues to grow, with ThredUp’s ninth annual report revealing that 33 million people in the US alone bought second hand clothes for the very first time in 2020.

Trevor Anderson, Director of Trading with Oxfam Ireland said:“People are starting to see just how much pressure throwaway fashion is putting on our planet and people, and how unsustainable it is. Our retail teams have noted an increase in younger people shopping Oxfam and we believe this reflects a growing movement of more conscientious and ethically driven consumers in Ireland–and thrifting, or shopping second hand, offers people an alternative, more sustainable option.

“We have seen through the Fridays For Future climate strikes, both here at home and globally, that it’s young people driving home the urgent need for climate action. That is why we are calling on them to be Second Hand September champions -to join us in our campaign and help spread the word about the impact fast fashion is having on our environment, as well as its impact on the women and men who make our clothes –a majority of whom don’t earn a living wage for their work.

“Amid a world in parts burning, in parts flooding and in parts starving, people using their own political power and behaviours to push big corporations and governments in the right direction is about as powerful a tool as we could wish for in bringing about positive change. By shifting our habits and consumer choices to more sustainable ones, we can all play a role and be changemakers for our collective future.”

Oxfam Ireland has 47 shops across the island of Ireland that accept and sell pre-loved clothes, shoes, accessories, handbags and more, diverting them from landfill, with even more items up for grabs on Fashion Relief TV, their interactive (always on!) shopping channel with Broadcaster Lorraine Keane. Their teams of 600 strong staff and volunteers are ready and waiting to support people on their journey to more sustainable clothing choices.

Anderson concluded: “Climate change is happening now and is already one of the most harmful drivers of increasing hunger and starvation, migration, poverty and inequality all over the world. We need to start recognising the links between our choices and policies in relatively wealthy countries like Ireland, and their impact in many of the places Oxfam works –from garment workers in Dhaka, to Pacific Island communities bearing the brunt of our climate emergency.

“By joining Oxfam’s Second Hand September movement, collectively we can send a message to our political leaders and the fashion industry, asking them to change their policies and practices to better protect the people who make our clothes and the planet we all share, and together we can inspire others to join us in saying yes to second hand.”

To learn more about Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign, visit: www.oxfamireland.org/shs

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To arrange an interview, or for any other media queries relating to Second Hand September, please contact:

irl-media@oxfam.org or call +353 1 672 7662

Images free for use (credit: Oxfam Ireland):

https://oxfam.box.com/s/bk64mcsn590cqotxdxu1jakpptpja4t8

Notes to the editor:

• A survey commissioned by Oxfam and conducted by Empathy Research in 2019 revealed that:
  • Six in 10 Irish people (63%) see their local charity shop as playing a key role in sustainable fashion
  • 76% donate unwanted items to charity shops because it reduces the amount of clothes being thrown away
  • 62% buy pre-loved clothes and accessories because it gives items a second chance to be worn and enjoyed.
• ThredUp 2021 Resale Report can be downloaded here.
• See the Irish charity Shop Association for further stats on Charity Shops and their impact in Ireland
• Oxfam works across many areas of fashion: collaborating with big brands to recycle and reuse stock; joining forces with fashion houses to improve conditions in their supply chains; fighting to improve workers’ rights; and campaigning for climate action.
• Across its programmes, Oxfam is tackling the impact of the climate crisis. They work with communities to prepare for unpredictable weather and disasters as a result of climate change and are there to help when the worst does happen, from drought to floods and earthquakes.
• Oxfam has 47 shops across the island of Ireland. To find your nearest Oxfam shop, visit www.oxfamireland.org/shops
• Broadcaster Lorraine Keane founded Fashion Relief in 2018 with Oxfam Ireland. Fashion Relief is a fundraiser extraordinaire that offers people the unique opportunity to bag a bargain from the wardrobe of their style icon or beloved brand, boutique or designer, more recently pivoting to an online interactive shopping channel where people can view and shop from the comfort of their home. There are some amazing items available to buy on –www.fashionrelief.ie. In addition, Fashion Relief has a pop-up shop at the Frascati Shopping Centre in Blackrock where people can also view a selection of wedding dresses from Oxfam's Bridal Rooms.