Rethink the way you consume—starting now!

Every back-to-school season, the fast fashion machine speeds up: new collections, flash sales, disposable trends. Yet behind these garments, sometimes worn only a few times, lies a huge environmental and human cost. Fast fashion is not a passing trend—it’s a system that endangers our planet and keeps millions of workers in precarious conditions.

A month to make a difference

In France, Oxfam launched the Second-Hand Month in September a few years ago. Today, this movement is gaining momentum worldwide. What if Quebec joined this international wave? Choosing to buy second-hand in September sends a clear message: we no longer want consumption that depletes our resources and weakens our communities.

Why is action urgent?

The textile industry accounts for 10% of global CO₂ emissions—more than aviation and shipping combined.

Every year, 92 million tonnes of textiles are thrown away, equivalent to a garbage truck dumped every second.

Our oceans are flooded with microplastics: 35% come from our clothing, especially polyester.

And only 2% of textile workers earn a living wage.

These numbers make headlines, but they primarily reflect a reality to which each of us can respond—here and now.

Quebec on the right track

The good news is that things are moving. The Responsible Consumption Barometer, conducted this spring by ESG-UQAM and sponsored by Renaissance and RECYC-QUÉBEC, shows that:

• • 2 out of 3 people say they reduce their purchases of new items thanks to second-hand shopping.
  • 1 out of 10 buys second-hand every week.
  • Ages 18–24 lead the trend, turning second-hand into a sustainable movement rather than a marginal act.

This proves that collectively, we are ready to go further.

Concrete impact at Renaissance

At Renaissance, we see it every day. For 30 years, we have supported over 10,000 people in returning to work through our integration programs. At the same time, we divert millions of kilos of textiles from landfills each year. Buying or donating is therefore a double-impact action: good for the environment and good for local people.

What if second-hand became the norm?

Around the world, the conversation is underway: fast fashion must be slowed down. In Quebec, we have the tools to make second-hand not just an alternative, but an obvious choice. In September, the Second-Hand Month, let’s choose together to give clothes a new life, support the social economy, and show that another way of consuming is possible.

Let’s act together

This month, commit to a concrete action: buy a second-hand garment, donate what you no longer wear, or talk about your choices with the hashtag #MoisDeLaSecondeMain. Every action counts, and together we can transform fashion and give meaning back to our consumption choices.