What is Recycled by?
Recycled by wants to spark a textile recycling revolution by using the unique method of adding the ‘Recycled by’ logo to great quality second hand textiles. This logo will ensure high standards of second hand products to encourage the use of recycling textiles and limit environmental damage caused by the textile industry. Recycled by will encourage organisations, businesses and groups to see textile recycling as a movement they are proud to be a part of. The Recycled by network will enable businesses to work together to empower and support each other in taking their first steps towards recycling within their organisation. We understand that bringing in sustainable, recycling practices can be a challenge, so Recycled by aims to bring organisations together, to mutually support and encourage one another.
Who we want to work with
We want to work with organisations who are starting to think about being involved in the sustainable economy. This could be small independent organisations who feel marginalised or dwarfed by larger scale organisations - we want to help you feel encouraged to begin taking sustainable steps within your business. Or if you are an organisation that hasn’t joined the sustainable movement yet, Recycled by and the network we create will guide you through your ‘green’ actions. We also want to work with you, if you already supply second hand textiles, and want to select your premium stock to receive added value by the Recycled by logo.
What does the logo do?
The Recycled by logo illustrates quality on second hand textiles, it adds value to your products and ensures that customers know your products are of a high standard. Recycled by represents being part of a wider network of businesses aiming to be more sustainable, creating trust in your brand and showing your efforts to be involved in the sustainable economy. The Recycled by logo communicates that you want customers to be proud of wearing and using recycled products. We want to protect use of the Recycled by logo for high quality initiatives that show recycling is the best option over buying new when it comes to sustainability. We appreciate that consumers are now more supportive than ever of the recycled industry and demand for recycled clothes is increasing. Since 2018, second hand sales have increased by 404% year on year. You can help start a movement with Recycled by.
Facts and figures about why we need to recycle
- The fashion industry is ranked 4th in the world for environmental impact (behind housing, transport and food)
- Around £140 million with of used but still wearable clothing goes to landfill in the Uk every year
- This is 30% of our unwanted clothing going to landfill
- More than 60% of households in the UK say they have unwanted clothes and textile stored in their homes.
- It is expected that by 2030, the fashion industry will use 35% more land for cotton and forest for cellulosic fibres
- In the last 15 years clothing production has roughly doubled
- In the UK, clothing lasts for an average of 3.3 years before it is discarded or passed on
- UK adults only wear 44% of the clothing they own
- It is estimated that the average garment is worn only 10 times before disposal
- Less than 1% of all materials in clothes are recycled into new garments
Sources: https://traid.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/impacts_of_clothing_factsheet_23percent.pdf
https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/uk-s-secondhand-market-skyrocket-in-2020/2020090250676
