It’s UK-based Re-Fashion’s first international move and sees it linking up with Littlewoods Ireland and The Care Trust in a bid to reduce the amount of wearable clothes going to waste “by giving style-conscious shoppers the chance to buy and donate quality second-hand clothing online”. Re-Fashion said demand for ‘pre-loved’ clothes continues to rise, spurred on by a new generation of more sustainability-conscious shoppers, as well as innovations in how second-hand clothing is donated and sold. 

And according to the Irish Government, the average EU citizen buys 26kg of textiles every year. Almost half of this is eventually dumped and ends up either incinerated or in landfill. This makes the fashion industry the second most polluting industry in the world, after the oil industry. Steve Lyons, CEO of Re-Fashion, said: “If we’re going to head off a climate emergency, then the way we shop must change. And shoppers are crying out for more sustainable options. So, it makes perfect sense for us to partner with progressive brands like Littlewoods Ireland and The Care Trust to give Irish shoppers a hassle free, affordable way of getting involved with circular fashion”.Rossa Butler, managing director at Littlewoods Ireland, added: “We recognise the key role that we can take in helping raise awareness towards clothing recycling and it’s important to provide our customers with a sustainable solution while supporting an Irish charity. This partnership with Re-Fashion and The Care Trust will achieve just that”.