#LoveNotLandfill pop-up
We’re facing a climate and ecological emergency and yet - on its own - the carbon footprint of new clothes bought in the UK each month is greater than flying a plane around the world 900 times. Last year, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that to keep the rise in global temperatures below 1.5C this century, emissions of carbon dioxide would have to be cut by 45% by 2030 but we can’t do that if we keep on shopping.
In fact, according to a recent report from C40 Cities, if we want to reduce the carbon emissions of the fashion industry, we should only be buying three new items of clothing a year.
Save the horrified gasps because while this obviously shuts the doors, once and for all, on Topshop and Primark, the magical land of secondhand - with all the creative potential of the one-off, the unique and the vintage - has just opened its gates. And that makes sense: with up to 100 billion pieces of clothing produced each year, there’s more than enough to go around - and around again.
Trouble is secondhand still faces challenges. A survey by WRAP for #LoveNotLandfill found that 1 in 3 young people in London won’t buy clothes that have been worn by someone else. Eco-fashion campaign #LoveNotLandfill’s new London pop up aims to turn that around with collections of pre-loved clothes from charity shops curated by leading style-savvy influencers: Emma Breschi for Barnardo’s,Cancer Research UK by She Wears Fashion; the Oxfam Collection by Elizabeth Whibley; The Royal Trinity Hospice Collection by Oenone, plus depop sellers Past Trash and Youth ID and a special menswear collection gathered from all the charities curated by sicckm8.
Each influencer has chosen 500 pieces from their partner charity, which will be sold at the pop-up store; all profits going straight to the charities. The store will also be a space to find out more about eco-fashion and the climate emergency with talks and demos. People can bring along old and damaged clothes to donate via a #LoveNotLandfill Bambi-designed clothes bank while the Clothes Doctor’s mend and repair station offers alterations and shows visitors how to repair and upcycle.
“The sustainable fashion movement is gaining traction,” says Hannah Carter from #LoveNotLandfill. “More and more young people are concerned about climate change and want to get involved. Our messaging is clear: Buy second hand, never put clothes in the bin (take them to a charity shop or put in a clothes bank) and care for your clothes so they last.”
In the past six months, charities such as Oxfam and Barnardo’s have hugely promoted buying second-hand instead of new with campaigns such as #secondhandseptember and #SingleUseFashion, flooding Instagram with high profile influencers styling trend-leading second-hand looks. Along with Royal Trinity Hospice and Cancer Research UK, they continue to support the #LoveNotLandfill mission to get young people in London to try second-hand first.
Mayor for Environment and Energy, Shirley Rodrigues adds: “Tackling the climate emergency demands action across all sectors - and London’s fashion industry needs to lead by example. Fast fashion has seen an increase in the consumption of low-cost clothing, leading to more waste. Recycling clothes and reclaiming fabrics like the many items in this pop-up shop will lead to a significant reduction in waste as well as reducing the environmental impact.”
The #LoveNotLandfill Pop-Up Store will be open from Thursday 14th November to Sunday 17th November at 47-49 Neal Street, Seven Dials, WC2H 9PZ. Click here for more info. Opening times: Thursday 14 Nov 11am-9pm; Friday 15 Nov 10am-8pm; Saturday 16th Nov 11am-8pm; Sunday 17 Nov 11am-6pm.
