What You Can Do
Anna Bergström, Mall Manager, ReTuna Återbruksgalleria
1. “Shop for a second-hand outfit if you want to be a better person,” Anna suggests. “Start with clothes.”
If you’re too far from Sweden to shop at ReTuna, just Google “second hand,” “hand me down,” or “thrift” clothes. You’ll discover online shopping options as well as retail stores (Good Will has 3,300 across the US and the Salvation Army has more than 7,000 centers where you can donate as well as shop).
2. “Buy one Christmas gift that’s second hand in high heels. You don’t have to buy all your gifts; start with one.”
You can also make them yourself: “upcycle” socks into a teddy bear, or turn crayons into candles or….
3. “Recycle products that you’re finished with: donate them; give them as presents; hand them down.”
Ship used household goods in your own, used shipping cartons, and GiveBackBox will distribute them to charities.
Eileen Fisher will accept their brand’s gently-worn clothing, then create a new garment, and resell it as part of their Resewn Collection.
Ikea will buy back their used furniture and recycle it.
Other retailers that are rebuying their merchandise for resale.
Evernu’s fiber technologies convert discarded clothing into many kinds of products—and not just once.
4. “Repair and refurbish clothing and furnishings when possible.”
If you bought an item of clothing from Patagonia, they’ll repair it without charge, no matter how old it is.
Repair devices, too; 83% of an iPhone’s life-long carbon dioxide production happens when it’s manufactured, so instead of buying a new phone, support the Right to Repair Movement.