You would have to be living under a rock not to be aware of Sustainable Fashion. At least as a term. It was one of the top searches on Google last year which means that either people are interested in it or confused by it…or maybe a bit of both! We’re not 311 but we are here to help (though if it’s an emergency call 911. Or mom.)
Every year 85% of textiles produced ends up in landfills. Clothing. Shoes. Gear. Wasted, without a second thought. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Some companies are shifting away from a traditional, linear model to a circular model where they allow customers to send back their old items to be repaired and resold – which keeps them out of landfills and in the value chain. And for those who need to buy something it let’s you buy something at a fraction of the cost from brands you trust, and backed with return policies.
“Keeping clothing in use just nine extra months can reduce the related carbon, water and waste footprints by 20-30%”
Many of the companies who have begun taking back and reselling their items are known for their outerwear –which makes sense since outerwear has to be well made to survive the elements…and even though it doesn’t always feel like it, winter in indeed here! So we’re giving you a rundown of where you can score a great winter jacket that’s (almost) as good as new. (And a few that were online as of this writing.)
600 fill-power 100% recycled down (duck & goose down reclaimed from down products), 2019 season $117 -regularly $249
Patagonia is well known for their commitment to the planet and so it makes sense that they are one of the first companies who began this practice and has some of the largest inventory.
You can send in your old Patagonia gear for store credit that can be used at their retail stores, online regular or at WornWear.com.
They sell men’s women’s, kid’s and outdoor gear
They sell both used items that have been cleaned and refurbished as well as special “recrafted” which are clothes made from other clothes.
Product details along with what year/season the items are from is listed on the page.
Ethically sourced down jackets can be found for 50% off the regular price
2. Rock Solid: ARC’TERYX Used Apparel and Gear
An 850 fill-power down jacket for $181.92 on RockSolid site – regular $379
Arc’teryx is a Canadian outdoor high-end sporting goods company. Founded in North Vancouver it’s known for skiing and rock climbing gear that will keep you warm and protected. Which is safe to say that it will keep you warm on the mean streets of Brooklyn as well!
You can send in specific Arc’teryx items for a gift card that can be used online.
They sell men’s women’s and outdoor gear
Product details along with what year/season the items are from is listed on the page along with the original price.
Many items can be found for 50% off the regular price
3. REI Used Gear
Outdoor Research brand, $209 -originally $349
REI stands for Recreational Equipment INC and was founded by rock climbers in 1938. It’s unique in that it’s actually a member-owned co-operative and more than 70 percent of their annual profits are invested back into the outdoor community through dividends to REI members, employee profit-sharing and retirement, and investments in nonprofits dedicated to the outdoors.
They carry their own brand as well as other top brands including Marmot, Merrell and North Face
They sell men’s women’s kid’s and outdoor gear -including winter boots.
Product details along with what year/season the items are from is listed on the page along with the original price.
Currently not accepting buy-backs but you can join a waitlist.
4. the North Face Renewed
Women’s Thermoball Active Jacket. Refurbished in “like new” condition $75, -regularly $150
The North Face is a brand known and loved equally by those who go up mountains and those who go down into subways. They are an environmentally aware brand that allows customers to recycle ANY apparel and footwear at their stores and earn a $10 reward toward your next purchase.
They sell men’s women’s and kid’s clothing which you can sort by gender or series
Product details along with the original price and the current condition is listed.
They offer a one year warranty.
5. The Renewal Workshop
This classic Carhartt coat is on their site for $90
The Renewal Workshop isn’t associated with one particular brand or regular priced retailer. Instead they have created a system that takes discarded apparel and textiles and turns them into Renewed Apparel, upcycled materials or recycling feedstock. Data is collected on everything that flows through the system and is given back to their brand partners to help them improve the production and design of future products. It is a zero waste system that recovers the full value out of what has already been created as a way of serving customers, partners and planet.
Men’s and Women’s clothing and Eagle Creek bags
Brands include: Carhartt, Eagle Creek, PrAna, PEARL IZUMi, Toad & Co, Vuori and Mara Hoffman
Products are “Like-New Certified” meaning they guarantee that there are no stains, piling, fading, fabric fatigue or overall signs of exterior wear.
Each item is given an environmental impact score that represents the positive effect of buying renewed instead of new. To do this they
measure the energy, greenhouse gas, water consumption and toxins used in making the original product using LCA data
weigh every item to count how much is diverted from landfill
money invested in a circular economy
In addition to the brands on their site, Renewal Workshop works with North Face and other brands to do the backend work for this secondary market.
