Martin Whitfield MSP is again lending his support to Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign.

Now in its third year, the charity’s campaign aims to draw attention to the increasing pressure fast fashion is putting on the environment and asks the public to buy second hand instead of new for at least one month.

The textile industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than the shipping and aviation industries combined and, to keep prices low, throwaway fashion is often made by garment workers from the world’s poorest communities who are paid below the living wage.

This type of fashion is unsustainable, with 11 million items of clothing in the UK ending up in landfill every week. Buying second hand is a fun and easy alternative to fast fashion as it helps to slow the relentless consumer cycle by giving garments a second chance to be sold and re-used.

By shopping at Oxfam, people can also do their bit to raise money to help the world’s poorest people fight for their right to be paid a fair wage, be protected against climate disasters and access the basics like clean water. £10 spent in an Oxfam shop could buy clean water for 10 people.

Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign is now well established in terms of both awareness raising and the practical effect on our clothes buying habits. By highlighting the waste and environmental damage involved in fast fashion the charity is helping foster a more sustainable approach by clothing industry and consumers. 

“We need to rethink the way we consume now in order to build a fairer and greener society that improves people’s lives but also protects the planet. Sustainability must be at the heart of our recovery from Covid and Second Hand September is helping promote the importance of that message.”

People can take the pledge to slow down fast fashion, and get access to shopping tips and styling tricks to make their month of no new a breeze, at: www.oxfam.org.uk/SecondHandSeptember