Dacorum Council taking part in Oxfam's Second Hand September campaign

They've launched a competition to encourage locals to shop second hand

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 1st Sep 2021

Dacorum Borough Council is supporting Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign and have teamed up with three local businesses fighting fast fashion and over-consumption of new products.

Greenpeace research shows that the average person today buys 60% more items of clothing than they did 15 years ago but that they keep that clothing for only half as long as they used to, with many items being thrown out before ever having been worn.

The UK purchases more clothes than any other country in Europe and this campaign aims to highlight the cost of this, financially and beyond.

The fashion industry is responsible for around 10 per cent of global carbon emissions, and it is one of the most polluting industries in the world, second only to the oil industry.

Dacorum has a lots of charity shops, as well as pre-loved and vintage shops and antique shops.

Plus, there are very active buy and sell Facebook groups and apps such as Depop and Vinted.

To help tackle the issues of fast fashion and wasteful consumer culture, this year the council is supporting Oxfam’s Second Hand September campaign.

Everyone can get involved simply by not buying anything new all month. If something is needed, opt for second hand instead.

The council has also teamed up with three local businesses for an amazing competition. There are three prizes up for grabs of vouchers from fabulous local second-hand shops:

• The Vintage Vagabond in Berkhamsted (£50 voucher)

• F & R Preloved Boutique in Hemel Hempstead (£50 voucher) and

• Loft 68 Vintage in Tring (£30 voucher).

To enter, simply send a second-hand gem photo and tell the story behind it. Every different story counts as one entry and can be submitted by messaging on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or by emailing recycle@dacorum.gov.uk by midday on 30 September 2021.

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