Buying one pair of second-hand jeans and a t-shirt could save equivalent of 20,000 bottles of water - Oxfam

The findings come as Oxfam launches its sixth Second Hand September campaign to encourage people to shop preloved and donate their unwanted clothes to help reduce the need for new clothes. The garment industry has an enormous water footprint that is straining the planet’s limited water resources. The total water footprint of clothing used in the UK annually is eight billion cubic metres, enough to meet the water consumption of the entire UK population for two years. Globally, 93 billion cubic metres of water are used by the fashion industry annually - enough to fill 37 million Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Oxfam’s analysis reveals that producing just one cotton t-shirt requires the equivalent of 5,400 standard 500ml bottles of water to make - enough to meet the drinking needs of 1,600 people in one day, according to NHS standards. Producing a pair of jeans requires 16,000 bottles of water — enough to meet the drinking needs of 4,750 people for a day.

Lorna Fallon, Oxfam’s Retail Director, said: “It is clear from these statistics that we are drowning in fashion. Given the world is running short of fresh water due to climate change, the water-intensive cost of clothes production could be vitally reduced if we mixed up our wardrobes with second-hand purchases.

“By recirculating our clothes – buying, wearing and donating second-hand – we can help to reduce the demand for new clothes. And this could in turn help to reduce the damage to our planet. What’s more, you can find amazing, stylish and budget-friendly outfits when you shop pre-loved, while also helping to raise vital funds to help tackle poverty and inequality around the world.”

Since it launched in 2019, Oxfam’s Second Hand September has helped thousands of people to shop more sustainably by encouraging people to shop pre-loved and help reduce the impact of the fashion industry on the planet.

TV presenter and actress Cat Deeley is fronting Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign this year.

Cat Deeley said: “I absolutely adore shopping second-hand, so it is such a pleasure for me to be a part of Oxfam's Second Hand September. Wherever I go in the world, I will always find charity shops and treasure-hunt to find the most gorgeous, preloved pieces. I love that with shopping second-hand, you can find something completely unique, which no one else has, that you can customise and also feel really good about wearing, knowing the money has gone to a good cause and you’re giving those clothes a second chance of life. Second-hand absolutely does not mean second best!”

Oxfam’s Second Hand September encourages people to extend the life of their clothes by choosing second-hand stylish outfits that don’t cost the earth. As part of this year’s campaign, Oxfam will be again one of the opening shows of London Fashion Week on 12 September with a celebrity-packed runway show Style for Change, featuring the finest pre-loved clothing and dressed by the pioneer of second-hand fashion, stylist Bay Garnett.

As a key partner for Oxfam’s Second Hand September, Vinted - the leading online marketplace dedicated to second-hand fashion - is on a mission to make second-hand first choice worldwide. By teaming up with Oxfam, Vinted is helping to spotlight the beauty and accessibility of pre-loved clothing, making it easier than ever for people to embrace responsible fashion. Their support of Oxfam’s campaign, including the Style for Change runway show at London Fashion Week, underscores the joint commitment to transforming how we shop and think about fashion, ensuring that second-hand becomes the first choice worldwide.

People can style for change this September by pledging to shop second-hand and donating preloved clothes to Oxfam. Find out more at https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/

For more information or interview requests contact: Oxfam Media Unit media.unit@oxfam.org.uk / 07748 76199907748 761999

Ends

Notes to Editors

Statistic and calculations

UK water consumption: water consumption of a UK citizen daily average is 153 litres, according to Water UK. Estimated annual consumption would be 55,845 litres. Dividing the estimated water footprint of clothing in the UK, 8 billion cubic metres according to WRAP, by the average yearly water consumption of one person in the UK, the water footprint of fast fashion in the UK could meet the yearly water needs of 143,253,648 UK citizens. If we divide this figure by the population of the UK, 66.7 million according to the Office of National Statistics, the water footprint of clothing used in the UK annually can meet the water consumption of the entire UK population for 2.1 years.

Water used by the fashion industry globally: Ellen Macarthur Foundation: A new textiles economy: Redesigning fashion’s future (2017)

The estimated volume of an Olympic swimming pool is 2.5 million litres. Therefore 37.2 million Olympic swimming pool could be filled with the fast fashion water volume consumption.

Cotton t-shirt and bottles of water: The water footprint of a cotton t-shirt is 2,700 litres, according to WRI.  A standard single use bottle of water is 500ml according to Dimensions.  One cotton t-shirt requires approximately 5,400 bottles of water. Dividing the 2,700 litres by the average 7 glasses of water (NHS daily drinking needs), the water footprint of one cotton t-shirt meets the daily drinking needs of approximately 1,607 people, rounded down to 1,600.

Jeans and bottles of water: The water footprint of a pair of jeans is 8,000 litres, according to Ahmad, H.S. Imran, M. Ahmad, F. et al. Based on 500ml standard bottle of water and the average of 7 glasses of drinking water needed per day, a pair of jeans requires approximately 16,000 bottles of water and the water footprint of one pair of jeans meets the daily drinking needs of approximately 4,762 people, rounded down to 4,750.

Oxfam

Oxfam is a global community of people who believe in a kinder, and radically better world, where everyone has the power to thrive not just survive. We believe we can overcome poverty by fighting the injustices and inequalities that fuel it.

Oxfam has more than 500 shops in the UK. By buying and donating through Oxfam shops, you can help to protect our planet, while helping raise life-saving money to tackle poverty around the globe.

To find your local Oxfam shop go to: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/

Second Hand September

Oxfam launched Second Hand September in 2019 to inspire people to shop in a way that is kinder to people and the planet. Second Hand September is a campaign to encourage people to donate and buy second-hand items in September.

Participants can use the hashtags #SecondHandSeptember #FoundInOxfam on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter when they post their finds, and tag @OxfamGB.

Click here for more information: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/

Vinted

Vinted is Europe’s leading international online C2C marketplace dedicated to second-hand fashion, with a growing community of members across Europe and beyond. With a mission to make second-hand the first choice worldwide, Vinted enables people to sell and buy second-hand clothes and lifestyle items from each other, helping give those items a second or even third life.