Fashion + The Circular Economy
Fashion largely uses a linear ‘take, make, waste’ business model, relying on continuously shifting mass volumes of product. However, with increasing strain on planetary welfare, fashion’s linear growth model is living on borrowed time. Mother nature has spent billions of years perfecting an ecosystem that operates in a circular manner, producing no waste; only nutrients. Many Global North countries have become detached from nature with a throw-away mindset, and in a waste-based society, ‘products will cause problems’ (Lacy & Rutqvist, 2015). But if fashion could mimic nature’s circularity, could the whole industry become more sustainable? According to Dr Anna Brismar, circular fashion is “designed, sourced, produced and provided with the intention to be used and circulate responsibly and effectively in society for as long as possible in their most valuable form, and hereafter return safely to the biosphere when no longer of human use”. There’s many circular fashion initiatives already being implemented by independent brands and as grassroot community projects. However, ‘circularity’ is fast becoming an industry buzzword, putting the concept at risk of greenwashing from big brands driven by maximising output and profit. Embracing the circular economy holds promises for a healthier, fairer fashion future. But Is the term being used accurately or prematurely? What kind of innovations are taking place? Can circularity really be the solution to the fashion industry's problems?
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Circular Economy: Why the World Goes Around
As the modern world grows, so does the concern for our planet and the environment around us. One phrase popularised in the fashion industry during this period has been the idea of a ‘circular economy of fashion’. Now you may wonder, what is that? What even is a circular economy? To some people, the idea is brand new. To others, they may understand the concept but not how it is applied to industries such as fashion. So why should it matter, why should we use a circular economy of fashion? Well, let’s start with the basics. What is a ‘Circular Economy’? At its roots, the ‘circular economy’ is named after…
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Can Circular Fashion Make You a Better Person?
We live in a world of ever-growing fashion with trends that are constantly changing, therefore this fast fashion creates so much waste costing the economy billions every year, but could these costs be cut by returning clothing back to the retailer after use? Could you be a better person and help towards reducing fashion waste by returning garments after use? Here we will explore the wonderful world of circular fashion. Where does Fashion Waste come from? 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions comes from fashion and it’s the second largest water consumer in the world. To make one pair of jeans, it takes 2,000 gallons of water. This water waste…
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Can Circular Fashion Help YOU Become More Sustainable This Lockdown?
The facts The UK is currently in a national lockdown. Pyjamas have almost become a work uniform for those stuck at home under government guidelines. Recently, Boris Johnson set out his plan to ease the nation out of lockdown restrictions. Following the Prime Minister’s announcement, reports have shown that fashion companies have received significant sales boosts of up to 75% following the news. Many are readying themselves for the ‘new normal.’ To re-enter the world again, people are wanting a new wardrobe. Yet, clothes go in and out of style. We know this. The clothes we purchase for our potential summer of freedom we may not even want next year.…
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Be More Circular
The main question you’re probably wondering is what is circular fashion? Why does this affect me? What can I do to help? ‘Circular fashion’ was first brought into this world by Dr Anna Brismar, Green Strategy. She defined it as: “clothes, shoes or accessories that are designed, sourced, produced, and provided with the intention to be used and circulated responsibly”. The main idea for the motion is to try and help reduce the amount of textile waste that ends up in a landfill, which currently lies at a worth of around £140 million. It aims to disrupt the usually linear journey of clothing which has its end of life at…
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‘Keeping it Circular’: Staying Ethical on a Budget
We are in the midst of the golden age of content, with each second brings a flurry of new products and stylish images to our fingertips. The constant advertisement clouds our own judgement and leads us to believe that we need whatever it is that is filling our explore pages at that particular hour. What’s the problem? One of the biggest advertising industries that ensnares us daily is the fashion industry, and with new aesthetics emerging daily and the ever-growing list of online clothing shops, it is hard to resist. However, whilst this new way of experiencing fashion is exciting, it is creating a serious impact on not only ourselves…
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Rolling Up in Circular Fashion…
One day, I looked in my wardrobe and I was overwhelmed by the large amount of clothes I never wear staring back at me. Some of these items I had only worn a few times so why put them to waste? Every year I go through my clothes and pick out anything that I think I could upcycle into a new unique item (I’m no seamstress but I do my best!) and anything else, I give to charity or pass on to my friends. This is just a small example of circular fashion. If you’re bored of your old wardrobe, this is for you! What is Circular Fashion? Circular fashion…
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How Do We Break the Chain and Spiral into Sustainability?
The need for us to take care of our planet is at an all time high. As the days pass, there are ever growing campaigns surrounding climate change and global warming and the role we as a society play in perpetuating it. One large focus is the amount of waste we produce, that goes to landfill. Many items we use everyday can be recycled, such as food containers or even some fashion garments, which is better for the environment, but arguably not enough. It is important to consider what happens to our clothes and accessories that aren’t reusable after we are ‘done’ with them. How can we make sure that…
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The Fashion Sphere of ‘Vinted’
With the turning of the New Year, it’s hard to resist the appetite to re-organise and re-stock our wardrobes. If you’re like me, then heading straight to the Google search box is the first call to action. It seems like the easy option, precise, direct and cuts the hassle. However, with everyone advancing on the closet resolution how much clothing waste will we expect to see pile up before new season collections start materialising on the refreshed pages of fashion retail websites? The answer is too much. Analysing the circular economy, WRAP UK estimated that £140 million worth of clothing is sent to landfill every year – so it’s time…
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What is The Circular Economy and How You Can Play a Positive Role ?
What is circular fashion? Circular fashion is centred within the frameworks of clothing items, accessories and shoes being “made to be made again” to be renewable and recycled. Its business model is designed to protect the environment from pollution, climate change, waste and biodiversity loss through circulating fashion products for as long as the value and quality of the product is maintained. (MacArthur, 2020) Circular fashion informs, brings awareness and encourages brands and consumers to take initiative and be a part of a model through fashion that protects the environment. Products should be made using eco-friendly materials. When a product is no longer in use for someone or a brand,…
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Charity Shops and Hand-Me-Downs are Important
Charity shops have always been at the heart of the high street. And, for as long as anyone can remember, people have passed on their clothes to siblings, friends, and even their parents. Meanwhile, many still throw their clothes and other textiles away, sending them to landfills where they will ultimately lay for more than 200 years. Globally, it has been estimated that over 92 million tonnes of textile waste is created each year. Fashion alone accounts for around 10% of greenhouse gas emissions. Things are starting to change, though. With the use of the Circular Economy and a global effort, waste can be reduced. But for a long time…
