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~8 kg CO₂

saved on average with every swap.

Here's exactly how we arrive at this number — the assumptions we made, the sources we use, and where the limits of this estimate lie.

Last updated: June 2026

What we measured

We compare two scenarios: someone who swaps a garment through Sally, and someone who buys a new one instead. The difference in CO₂ emissions between the two scenarios is the amount saved.

Emissions from travel to the handover point are not included. Since Sally is local and most handovers happen on foot or by bike, we assume zero CO₂ for that part.

The calculation

Average emissions of a new garment Production, transport, processing — average across all clothing types
~22 kg CO₂e
Displacement rate Share of new purchases actually avoided by a swap
64.6 %
Emissions from the swap process itself Local handover, no shipping
~0.006 kg CO₂e
Formula: 22 kg × 64.6 % − 0.006 kg = ~8 kg CO₂e per swap
Emissions saved per swap ~8 kg CO₂e

Sources

EU PEFCR Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for Apparel & Footwear — basis for the average emission values per garment.
WRAP 2025 Valuing Our Clothes — source for the 64.6 % displacement rate for second-hand clothing versus new purchases.
Ecoinvent 3.9 Background data for transport emissions in local handovers without shipping.

Limitations

This figure is an average. Actual savings depend on the garment — a wool coat has a different footprint than a basic t-shirt. The displacement rate also varies by person: someone who would never have bought new saves less than someone who genuinely would have. We are working to refine this calculation further using real usage data from the Sally community.

All values in CO₂ equivalents (CO₂e) — a measure that converts all greenhouse gases into a single unit. The calculation was produced internally and has not yet been externally audited. Last updated: June 2026. Questions about the methodology: hello@getsally.eu