Reasons why Upcycling Fashion is Helpful

In a world that is still scattering fashion pieces at breakneck speed, the idea of ​​recycling or freshly made clothing can be an anomaly.  But it’s a growing trend and one of the most enduring things in fashion.  Because upcycling uses pieces that already exist, it often uses some resources in its manufacture and in fact keeps ‘unwanted’ items out of the waste stream.

What is upcycling?

Cycling is a way to make something better than it really is. In clothing, for example, it often takes something that does not fit or is stained/torn and reproduces the wearable product.

Upcycling fashion can be done using pre-consumer or sub-consumer waste or a combination of both. Pre-consumer waste is generated when items are being manufactured (such as pieces of clothing left after cutting a pattern). Post-consumer waste is generated from a finished product that is safe for the consumer. Does not happen. Reaches the end of his useful life. (Like a T-shirt that no longer fits).

This strategy pays a very low price in terms of waste of natural resources, pollution from the manufacturing process and injustice to garment workers. The result of this high consumption model is a staggering amount of waste. Each year, 180 billion tons of fabrics go to landfills, filling landfills decades before estimates. In fact, we are drowning in our textile waste. The only way to alleviate this serious problem is to produce new items from textile waste such as dead stock (clothes that are not sold due to defects, damage or old), and retrieved materials (save the fashion industry). The air part (off-cut or over-supply of clothing from the manufacturing process), and after-consumer waste (items that have been purchased, worn and disposed of).  This is called upcycling. Unlike recycling where new materials are created from waste, recycling is simply the recycling of existing materials and therefore does not require the use of chemical processes or raw materials and contaminates energy resources. Upcycling can be practised in many forms such as:

1-Repairs – Extending the life of existing clothing

2-Reuse – Use what we already have and reduce the number of new clothes or components

3-Refresh – Updating old clothes

4-Recreate – Making existing unwanted items into something new.

The benefits of the cycling fashion industry

Upcycling promises to transform the economy in ways that benefit companies, consumers and the environment alike.

Rather than defaulting on the “Tech McWest” economic model, upcycling helps develop a circular economy.  With a circular economy, materials that are already in circulation are constantly reused and reused, which helps reduce manufacturing costs and protect valuable environmental resources.

1-For companies

Brands and businesses can launch take-back programs, which are measures that allow consumers to return used clothes in exchange for gift cards or other benefits and rewards. Barely worn clothing can be refreshed and resold, while lightly used or damaged clothing can be cycled to make new ones. Of course, companies can also opt for unsold stock in exchange for burning or landfills.

2-For consumers

In this day and age, consumers around the world are educating themselves and becoming more environmentally conscious. He expects large corporations to play their part in conserving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and waste.

3-For the environment

Any cycling discussion would be incomplete without touching on the environmental benefits. Reusing existing equipment and materials means we conserve natural resources. For example, by cycling up lightweight used clothing, we avoid using 2,700 litres of water, which is used to make the cotton needed to make just one T-shirt!

Conclusion 

When done correctly, upcycling helps both the Customer and your company’s bottom line. Start a takeback program today or work with your favorite sustainability experts to create new, innovative solutions and take your brand to the next level.