How the UK is Embracing Circular Fashion
Reducing Waste and Closing the Loop
The fashion industry has long been criticised for its wastefulness, with millions of tonnes of textiles ending up in UK landfills each year. However, a new movement is gaining momentum—circular fashion—which aims to transform the way we produce, consume, and dispose of clothes. The circular fashion model is built around the idea of keeping garments in use for as long as possible, through recycling, repairing, and repurposing, rather than the traditional linear model of “make, use, and dispose.”
In the UK, both consumers and brands are increasingly adopting this more sustainable approach to fashion, which is reshaping the industry and helping to combat the growing environmental crisis. In this blog post, I’ll explore what circular fashion means, why it’s crucial for the UK, and how individuals, businesses, and communities can help reduce fashion waste by embracing a circular mindset.
What is Circular Fashion?
Circular fashion is a system in which clothes are made, used, and then either reused, recycled, or returned to the environment in a safe way. It promotes a closed-loop system where materials are continuously repurposed, reducing the need for virgin resources and minimising waste.
The key principles of circular fashion include:
Designing for Longevity: Clothes are designed to last longer and be more durable, reducing the frequency of replacement.
Reusing and Recycling: When garments reach the end of their life, they are either repurposed, repaired, or recycled into new products, ensuring that no materials are wasted.
Reducing Waste: By keeping clothing in circulation for as long as possible, circular fashion significantly reduces the amount of textile waste that ends up in UK landfills each year.
Why Circular Fashion is Important for the UK
The UK has one of the highest levels of fashion consumption in Europe, and this consumption comes at a high environmental cost. On average, UK consumers buy more clothes per person than any other country in Europe, with around 300,000 tonnes of clothing ending up in landfills each year.
The environmental impact of this waste is staggering. Not only do textiles take decades to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals and greenhouse gases into the environment, but the production of new clothing requires vast amounts of water, energy, and raw materials. For instance, producing a single cotton T-shirt can use up to 2,700 litres of water.
Circular fashion presents a solution to these challenges by reducing waste, conserving resources, and offering a more sustainable model for clothing production and consumption. It’s an approach that’s not only environmentally responsible but also increasingly appealing to UK consumers who are growing more eco-conscious.
The Rise of Clothing Recycling in the UK
One of the main components of circular fashion is clothing recycling, and the UK is seeing a surge in initiatives aimed at keeping clothes out of landfills. From high street retailers to local community projects, more options are now available to recycle unwanted garments. Several UK-based retailers have started clothing recycling schemes, where customers can return old clothes in exchange for store vouchers or discounts.
Meanwhile, charity shops remain a cornerstone of the UK’s second-hand economy. Organisations such as Oxfam, The British Heart Foundation, and Barnardo’s continue to play a vital role in promoting circular fashion, giving preloved clothing a new lease of life while supporting important causes. Additionally, platforms like TRAID (Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development) have been pivotal in raising awareness of the need to reduce textile waste. TRAID collects donated clothes and resells them, with profits going towards global projects aimed at reducing the environmental and social impact of waste.
Innovative UK Brands Leading the Circular Fashion Charge
Some forward-thinking UK brands are leading the way in circular fashion by incorporating sustainability into their business models and encouraging a cradle-to-cradle approach. These brands recognise the importance of creating clothing that doesn’t just end up as waste but is instead part of a closed-loop system.
Rapanui: This Isle of Wight-based brand has made a name for itself by creating clothing that is fully recyclable. Rapanui encourages customers to return their worn-out clothes for recycling, and in return, they receive discounts on future purchases. This circular process ensures that the materials from old garments are reused to make new ones, closing the loop on fashion waste.
Teemill: Teemill works with Rapanui to produce sustainable, organic cotton clothing that is made to be returned and recycled. Their take-back scheme allows customers to send back worn-out Teemill products to be remade into new garments, with nothing going to waste.
Beyond Retro: Known for their vintage collections, Beyond Retro is also a leader in upcycling. The company has created Beyond Retro Label, a range made from discarded fabrics and vintage pieces that are remade into new, unique clothing. This upcycling approach ensures that materials that might have ended up in landfill are given a new purpose.
These innovative companies are proving that circular fashion isn’t just possible—it’s profitable. Their success demonstrates how sustainability can be integrated into fashion in a way that benefits both the planet and consumers.
How UK Consumers Can Support Circular Fashion
Circular fashion isn’t just a trend for brands—it’s something that individuals can embrace in their everyday lives. Here are some simple ways UK consumers can contribute to a more circular fashion system:
Buy Second-hand: Shopping for second-hand clothing, whether at charity shops, vintage stores, or online platforms is one of the easiest ways to support circular fashion. By extending the life of garments, you’re helping to reduce demand for new clothing and prevent waste.
Choose Quality Over Quantity: Instead of buying cheap, fast fashion that won’t last, invest in high-quality pieces that are durable and can be worn for years. Focusing on timeless styles rather than trends will also help extend the lifespan of your wardrobe.
Repair and Upcycle: Rather than throwing away damaged clothes, consider repairing or upcycling them. Basic sewing skills can extend the life of garments, and upcycling offers a creative way to give new life to old items. Turn an old pair of jeans into shorts or repurpose a worn-out T-shirt into a reusable tote bag.
Participate in Clothing Swaps: Clothing swaps are gaining popularity in the UK as a fun, social way to refresh your wardrobe without buying new clothes. Events like The Big Clothes Swap encourage communities to come together, exchange unwanted items, and reduce textile waste.
Recycle Old Clothes: If your clothes are too damaged to be reused or resold, make sure to recycle them. Many high street retailers and recycling organisations offer clothing take-back schemes, ensuring that textiles are either repurposed or recycled rather than sent to landfill.
Government and Industry Efforts Towards Circular Fashion
The UK government and fashion industry are also taking steps towards a more circular fashion future. In 2019, the UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee released a report on the sustainability of the fashion industry, urging the government to take stronger action on waste and environmental impact.
Though not yet law, the committee proposed several measures, including:
A one-penny-per-garment levy on clothing manufacturers to fund better textile recycling infrastructure.
Stronger regulation on sustainable production practices and ensuring brands take responsibility for their products at the end of their life cycle.
Support for brands and retailers adopting circular fashion models, such as clothing rental and take-back schemes.
Meanwhile, organisations like WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) are working with the UK fashion industry to reduce waste through the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP). The goal is to minimise the environmental impact of clothing production and consumption, promote resource efficiency, and encourage a circular approach to fashion.
The shift towards circular fashion in the UK represents a critical step in addressing the fashion industry’s environmental challenges. By focusing on keeping garments in use for longer, reusing materials, and designing for durability, circular fashion offers a viable solution to reducing textile waste. For consumers, the growing availability of second-hand clothing, recycling schemes, and sustainable brands means it’s easier than ever to embrace a circular fashion mindset. Whether you’re shopping vintage, mending old clothes, or supporting local brands committed to sustainability, every step counts towards creating a more sustainable future for fashion.