A new item must be made.
Its footprint includes producing the fibres and fabric, manufacturing the garment, getting it to the customer and caring for it.
GIVE GOOD CLOTHES MORE WEARS
Clothing carbon footprint:
new vs preloved.
A clothing carbon footprint includes more than making the garment. There’s the fabric, the journey to the shop, years of washing and eventually disposal. Buying preloved can help when it replaces something new you would otherwise have bought.
See a jeans example ↓BEFORE THE FIRST WEAR
Where do clothing emissions come from?
Cotton has to be grown; synthetic fibres have to be produced. Fibres are spun into yarn, turned into fabric, dyed and finished, then cut and sewn into clothing. Those steps use energy and materials. Transport, packaging and looking after the finished clothes add to the footprint.
Researchers usually report this in kg CO₂e: kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent. That combines different greenhouse gases into one measure of their warming effect. It is a climate measure, rather than a score for every environmental issue.
Background: European Environment Agency, textiles and the environment (2022) ↗
ONE PUBLISHED EXAMPLE · 2015 DATA
A pair of jeans has a long story.
Levi Strauss & Co.’s 2015 study estimated 33.4 kg CO₂e over the whole life of the Levi’s 501 jeans it assessed. That includes consumer care and disposal, as well as production.
This is a historical study using data from 2015 and earlier. It illustrates the stages involved; it is not a current figure for every pair of jeans or a measurement of our stock.
33.4 kg CO₂e · whole lifecycle
| Stage | kg CO₂e |
|---|---|
| Fibre production | 2.9 |
| Making the fabric | 9.0 |
| Cutting, sewing and finishing | 2.6 |
| Trims and packaging | 1.7 |
| Transport, logistics and retail | 3.8 |
| Washing and other consumer care | 12.5 |
| End of life | 0.9 |
| Whole lifecycle | 33.4 |
Source: Levi Strauss & Co., The Life Cycle of a Jean (2015), page 22 ↗
WHAT CHANGES SECOND TIME ROUND?
Preloved keeps an existing garment in use.
The garment is already made.
Resale adds its own activity: collection, checking, any cleaning or repair, packaging and delivery. Future washing and disposal still count.
Buying second-hand doesn’t undo the original manufacturing emissions. Its potential benefit comes from keeping useful clothing in circulation and reducing the need for new production. That works best when you buy something you need, choose it instead of a new item and wear it often.
SMALL, PRACTICAL CHOICES
Get more out of what you buy.
- Start with what’s in your wardrobe. Buy for a real gap, rather than a number on a discount label.
- Check the fit and condition. Compare measurements and read the wear notes so it’s something you’ll keep reaching for.
- Care for it sensibly. Follow the label, wash when needed, use a suitable lower temperature and air-dry when practical.
- Repair and pass it on. Fixing a loose button or passing wearable clothing to its next owner can extend its useful life.
Our part, here in Gloucester.
We sell one-off branded clothing that already exists. The listing photos show the actual item, with size and condition details to help you choose. You can order across the UK or arrange Gloucester collection.
We haven’t measured a carbon footprint for each garment or our whole business. We therefore don’t put a “CO₂ saved” number on your basket or describe our clothes as carbon-neutral. The examples here explain the research, rather than promise a particular saving from an order.
A couple of common questions
How much CO₂ does making a T-shirt or hoodie produce?
There isn’t one reliable number for every item. Material, weight, factory energy, processing and transport vary. Check whether a published figure covers manufacturing alone or the whole lifecycle before comparing it with another.
Is preloved clothing zero carbon?
No. Resale, transport and garment care still cause emissions. Its potential climate benefit depends on what new purchase it replaces, how long you use it and the activities needed to get it to you.
Sources checked 24 October 2026. Study dates are shown beside the figures. Branded Preloved is an independent retailer; citing these organisations does not imply their endorsement.