Published: Thursday 4 September 2025
Second Hand September is an Oxfam-led campaign designed to help cut down on waste and encourage shoppers to buy second hand. This September, we have events to help give clothes a new lease of life, recycle equipment, cut down waste and support sustainable living.
In the UK alone, more than two tonnes of new clothing are bought every minute, generating nearly 50 tonnes of carbon emissions, that’s the equivalent of driving a car around the world six times each minute. During a month, the emissions from newly purchased clothes in the UK surpass the carbon cost of flying around the world 900 times.
It’s not just clothing that we can recycle. Electronic waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. Old phones, laptops and gadgets often end up in landfill, releasing harmful chemicals into soil and water while demand for new devices drives intensive mining for metals. A single new smartphone can cost the planet around 55 kg of CO₂, that’s similar to driving from Chelsea to York. But if you choose to refurbish, you cut that to just 15kg, slashing your impact by nearly 80 per cent.
- Choosing pre-loved clothes directly reduces demand for carbon-intensive manufacturing and helps curb emissions from sourcing, production, transport, and disposal.
- Every piece you wear for longer or buy second-hand lightens the environmental load of our wardrobes.
- By repairing, reusing and recycling tech, we play our part in cutting pollution and reduce the need for destructive mining.
Events Happening in Second Hand September
Sustainable September Celebration
3 – 27 September
Free events throughout September at our libraries, suitable for all to learn how to be sustainability savvy. See more details on Eventbrite.
Schools Stationery and Sports Equipment Donation Drive
8 – 13 September
Donate stationery and sports equipment to be reused within the boroughs’ schools at Kensington and Chelsea libraries.
Notting Dale Community Market in Avondale Park
Sunday 14 September 11am - 4pm
Come along to Avondale Park to enjoy a community market in the heart of Notting Dale. Discover local traders, fresh produce, hot food, workshops for children and adults, second hand clothes, bike repairs, physical activities, and council services.
If you or someone you know is interested in running a stall at a future market, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch at [email protected].
Sustainability Fair
Friday 19 September 12 - 4pm
Join us for the a Second Hand September themed Sustainability Fair on Tavistock Square,.
Explore a range of stalls and activities, including:
- Tips on how to save money by lowering your emissions
- Guidance on reducing plastic waste in your daily life
- Sustainability workshops to inspire greener choices
- Advice on where to buy second hand and support the circular economy
Climate Café: Second Hand September clothes mending workshop
Thursday 25 September 11.30am - 12.30pm
September’s climate café will take place at Leighton House. Join us for a hands-on clothes mending session where you'll learn different mending techniques such as darning, embroidery and applique, which will give your garments a new lease of life.
Whether you're new to mending or looking to refine your skills, we'll provide fabric to practise on. Discover the joy of visible mending, a creative way to extend the life of your clothes while adding personal flair. We will end the session with a warm drink and discussion about sustainable fashion.
It's a free event, but please book in advance online.
Fix It Fest,
Saturday 27 September 10am - 4pm
Come and join outside North Kensington Leisure Centre for a day of sustainable activities including a bicycle market, free furniture repairs and electrical repairs.