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TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO OPPORTUNITY: A CASE STUDY
The Problem of Post-Consumer Waste
10% of global carbon emissions come from post-consumer waste, with less than 1% of clothing getting recycled. Most items typically end up in landfills, exacerbating environmental pollution and resource wastage. However, discarded garments are often still in good condition but are considered unusable due to minor damages, stains, or simply being out of fashion.
Our Solution
To showcase that there is unextracted value from clothes that are being unnecessarily discarded and sent to landfill, we worked with local dry cleaners to intercept this waste stream, collecting garments from dry cleaners before they reach landfills. The collected items undergo a meticulous sorting process to determine their potential for upcycling. The garments are then repaired, redesigned, and repurposed, transforming them into unique, fashionable pieces ready for resale.
Our Process
The upcycling process at onezero8 involves several stages:
- Collection: Garments are gathered from partnering dry cleaners.
- Sorting: Items are sorted based on material, condition, and potential for redesign.
- Repair and Redesign: Skilled designers repair any damages and creatively redesign the garments.
- Resale: The upcycled garments are sold through various channels, including online platforms like Depop and social media channels like TikTok and Instagram.
Our Findings
The case study showcased that there is value in discarded items, with many items being sold as is or with minimal rework. We saved approximately 80% of goods from landfill, and our initiative landed us an exclusive invite into Depop's Accelerator Program.
To get an in-depth look at our findings, please click the link below.