The second-hand fashion market is booming, offering a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion. But how much lower is the carbon footprint of second-hand clothing, and how can brands accurately measure it? Understanding the emissions associated with resale, refurbishment, and logistics is key to making informed sustainability claims — and going beyond value chain mitigation to support meaningful climate projects.
Unlike new garments, second-hand clothing bypasses emissions from raw material extraction and production. However, its carbon footprint isn’t zero. Key factors to consider include:
• Collection and sorting: Gathering and categorising second-hand clothes require energy and transport.
• Refurbishment and cleaning: Repairing, washing, and repackaging clothing adds to emissions.
• Logistics and distribution: Transporting second-hand goods, especially for global resale markets, contributes to a product’s overall footprint.
• End-of-life considerations: If second-hand clothes are not resold or recycled, they may still end up in landfills or incineration.
Some second-hand retailers have taken steps to provide transparency by showing consumers the environmental savings of purchasing used clothing. For example, the retailer could show a calculation of how much water has been saved by choosing a pre-owned garment instead of buying new. These types of insights help consumers make more informed, sustainable choices and set a benchmark for brands looking to communicate their impact more clearly.
Atmoz helps businesses accurately calculate the carbon footprint of second-hand fashion by tracking emissions at every stage of their operations. With data-driven insights, Atmoz enables brands to make transparent sustainability claims and identify areas for further reduction.
Beyond value chain mitigation: contributing to climate action
Even with a lower footprint, second-hand fashion businesses have a responsibility to go beyond reducing emissions within their value chain. Contributing to climate projects in textile-producing regions is one way to make a tangible impact.
Brands can support projects that:
• Restore ecosystems: Reforestation and biodiversity initiatives in areas impacted by textile production.
• Improve working conditions: Renewable energy and clean water projects that benefit local communities.
• Advance circular solutions: Funding textile recycling infrastructure to close the loop on fashion waste.
Atmoz Restore enables brands to go beyond footprint calculations and take real climate action. Atmoz’s Gold Standard-certified offsetting projects allow businesses to invest in initiatives that align with their sustainability goals — whether that means supporting renewable energy in major textile hubs or conservation projects near key supply chain locations.
Resale is a powerful way to extend the life of clothing and reduce demand for new production, but brands must back their claims with accurate carbon data and meaningful action. By calculating the real footprint of second-hand fashion and contributing to climate projects in regions that matter, businesses can build a more credible and impactful sustainability strategy.
With Atmoz, brands can ensure they are not just reducing emissions but actively participating in the transformation of the fashion industry.