The excitement of last week’s festival of the circular economy in London was tempered today by the Government’s announcement it would not be intervening to discourage wasteful practices in the fashion industry.
Despite recommendations from Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee to bring in a levy on clothing sales to help tackle environmental damage and encourage circular economy practices, ministers decided to “encourage” rather than legislate to ensure fashion companies do the right thing.
Circular Economy Week
The decision comes in the wake of a week of activity organised by the London Waste and Recycling Board to celebrate and boost the city’s circular economy sector. We at WhoSki.com were delighted to take part, share our story, learn from others operating in this vibrant sector, and connect with likeminded entrepreneurs whose goal is to help deliver a resilient, resource-efficient community.
There is a huge bank of energy, talent and enthusiasm in the circular economy sector. There is also a massive desire to curb – and harness – the waste generated by this country’s 66 million inhabitants.
Re-use in the ski sector
Our business, building a peer-to-peer marketplace for preloved ski clothing, is a mere drop in the ocean compared with the massive challenge facing the fashion industry which consumes globe-threatening amounts of resources and creates literal mountains of waste.
By targeting the ski clothing industry, we are making a tiny difference to the fashion industry’s problem of waste and over-production. But we believe it is a valuable one. Specialist outdoors clothing such as ski wear is made of multiple materials, making it particularly difficult to recycle. Manmade fibres also break down extremely slowly – if ever. Re-use will always be the eco approach, as well as the low-cost way to revamp your ski wardrobe. A fresh look on the slopes without breaking the bank or condemning unwanted but still serviceable clothing to landfill: that is our aim.
#PassItOn
Even though the UK Government is unwilling to force change, we are confident that retailers and manufacturers will want to do the right thing.
WhoSki.com is the place where you can pass on your end of line, out of season or returned winter sports wear for re-use by within a dedicated community of skiers. Consumers will respect your sustainable fashion credentials, spread the word about your corporate efforts to end wasteful practices and act as advocates for your brand. #PassItOn