COVID-19 & Fashion: Time For A Change?
What impact has the global pandemic had on the fashion sector – and how about clothes recycling?
Fashion industry alone
is responsible for
Store closures on the high street. Plummeting clothes sales. Digitisation and the meteoric rise of online shopping. The disruption of production and supply chains around the world. Piles of pre-loved clothes left outside charity shops closed because of COVID regulations. And a growing number of consumers voicing their concern about the impact of the industry on the planet.
From consumer trends to on-the-ground production, the global pandemic is changing the face of fashion. And the clothes recycling industry is no exception. In this blog, we examine the impact of COVID-19 on our industry – and explore some of the changes we at Donate Clothes have made in response to the issues thrown into the spotlight as a result of the pandemic.
Are we finally moving towards a circular economy?
Economies around the world have been hit hard by the pandemic. But recent studies have suggested that a shift towards a circular economy could actually drive recovery.
If you’re interested in sustainable fashion, you’re likely to have encountered the term ‘circular economy.’ Essentially, it means ensuring that products and resources stay in use for as long as possible — and then regenerating old clothes into new. This is, of course, in sharp contrast to the fast fashion model, where clothes are produced (and discarded) quickly using cheap labour and greenhouse gas emissions are excessive.
- You can take old shoes to a number of Nike stores, where they’ll separate the various components (rubber, leather, foam and textiles, for example) and use them to create new trainers
- H&M customers in Sweden can watch their old clothes be recycled into new before their eyes, thanks to the LOOOP machine – it shreds old items and knits new ones from the old fibres
- Outdoor clothing specialists Patagonia has an online platform where you can trade in an old item of Patagonia clothing, which will then be repaired and resold
While innovations such as these are not yet widespread, the idea that becoming more sustainable will make you a better company is definitely gaining pace. Thanks at least in part to changes instigated by the pandemic, fashion retailers are beginning to understand that a move to a circular approach will positively impact top and bottom line – driving both profits and customer loyalty.
Of course, recycling clothes is not in itself a new concept – in fact, it’s one that we’ve been shouting about for years!
Ready to declutter your wardrobe but leave your heart full?
Pick a charity to find out if we collect in your area.
So how has Donate Clothes responded to the pandemic?
The pandemic has fundamentally shifted the way we approach our lives and livelihoods. Not only has it intensified the way we think about issues like hygiene and personal space. It’s also increased inequality and made it more important than ever to support charities. So, it’s perhaps unsurprising that COVID-19 has also been a catalyst for change in the clothes recycling industry.
We’ve been collecting pre-loved clothes from your doorsteps, and recycling them to raise funds for British charities, since 2010. In that time, we’ve donated a huge £1.4 million to our partner charities, mainly via donations collected on behalf of our partner organisation Your Donation.
But when the pandemic (and subsequent lockdowns) hit, traditional ways of donating pre-loved clothes — such as taking them to a charity shop — became much harder. At the same time, consumers like you were stuck at home desperate to declutter your wardrobes while helping those in need. This led to piles of pre-loved items being dumped outside charity shops that were closed and unable to accept donations.
We wanted to enable you to continue donating clothes and supporting charities.
So, what was the solution?
Thanks to your clothes donations,
we’ve raised an amazing
Introducing online booking for contactless clothes collection
We acted fast – with the introduction of an online booking system that empowers you to book a slot, pack up your own pre-loved items and leave them out for collection on your chosen day.
No longer do you need to leave your home. And no more waiting for an (unsustainable and unsolicited) plastic bag to be pushed through your door. Instead, you donate your pre-loved clothes and other items in a way that suits you.
- Contactless collection is perfect if you’re vulnerable, shielding or just keen to any unnecessary contact – our drivers will collect on your nominated date and will even text to let you know your time slot in advance
- Need help with moving your items outside? That’s no problem – our drivers are happy to assist! Just let us know when you make your online booking and we’ll do the carrying for you
- And remember, you choose the British charity who benefits from your donation at the start of the booking process
