Re-Loved
A Second Coming for Second-Hand Shopping
Millions of us now buy and sell second-hand clothing through platforms like Vinted and Depop, making second-hand fashion a mainstream choice. The Vinted phenomenon began when one woman started selling her clothes, sparking a billion-dollar industry and fuelling the growing 're-loved' trend in fashion.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, clothing is massively underutilised. In its report, A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion’s Future, reveals that the average number of times a garment is worn has dropped by 36% over the last 15 years. Could 're-loved' fashion be the key to tackling unsustainable clothing consumption?
The majority of clothing today is made from oil and gas, making it cheap, difficult to recycle, and creating pollution and contamination during use and disposal. The textile industry’s carbon emissions are enormous: in 2015, textile production emitted 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2e, more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Global production of synthetic fibres uses as much oil per year as the whole of Spain, with polyester alone causing emissions equivalent to 180 coal-fired power stations annually, according to the Fossil Fuel Fashion campaign which highlights the link between Big Oil and the fashion industry.
Re-Using Uniforms and More
Many local schools are now encouraging uniform swaps to reduce waste. Round Hill Primary in Beeston runs a uniform exchange program, where parents can donate or pick up uniforms. No one is required to pay, making it accessible for everyone, but donations are welcomed.
“We have three rails in school with the uniform in size order which is wheeled out once a week into the playground. Parents come and look through, they can give a cash donation if they wish, or through our Just Giving page (but that is not compulsory we just want the uniform to have a new home).”
​Sustainable Furniture and Upcycling
Beyond clothing, furniture reuse projects in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire are helping to extend the life of preloved furniture too. The charities will often collect the items from you before reselling them and creating income reducing waste and giving them a new lease of life! Upcycling is a great way to furnish a home on a budget.
You can also give your items directly to others through platforms like Freecycle, on a mission “to build a worldwide sharing movement that reduces waste and saves precious resources…”
And don’t forget about your local charity shops, always in need of donations to sell and raise funds for good causes.