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The Clothes Library
Published on 21 February 2019
Poland
Dolnośląskie
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The Clothes Library works according to the rules: rent, reuse, resolve and return. They turn clothes into circulation and give them a second life. Especially in times of fast fashion, the life cycle of clothes is constantly shortened, and fashion is becoming more and more transient and cheap.
At this point, it is becoming a huge problem, where several million tons of textiles are thrown away annually. This means that the world has already produced such quantities of clothes that we will have enough for a few more decades! People buy clothes for one occasion or collect things in the closet unnecessarily, which will not be put on anyway, but were cheap or discounted. Clothes in Library people can simply borrow, put on a few times, test and give away. And then decide on the conscious purchase of a similar thing. It is a new branch of the economy, which is called sharing economy. By renting clothes, you join a community that values quality, care for the environment and puts the use above possession and unnecessary gathering of things in wardrobes.
At this point, it is becoming a huge problem, where several million tons of textiles are thrown away annually. This means that the world has already produced such quantities of clothes that we will have enough for a few more decades! People buy clothes for one occasion or collect things in the closet unnecessarily, which will not be put on anyway, but were cheap or discounted. Clothes in Library people can simply borrow, put on a few times, test and give away. And then decide on the conscious purchase of a similar thing. It is a new branch of the economy, which is called sharing economy. By renting clothes, you join a community that values quality, care for the environment and puts the use above possession and unnecessary gathering of things in wardrobes.
Resources needed
2 people, launch of the website, cost unknow
Evidence of success
2295 observing users on Facebook. In 2018 The Clothes Library was awarded in the "Startup of Positive Impact 2018" ranking and in the "30 Creative Wrocław 2018" plebiscite. 457 pieces of clothes are available to borrow (data from February 2019).
Since 2016 The Clothes Library had several workshop and social actions, such as Upcycling workshops in crocheting, meeting and talks during breakfast concerning sharing economy, slow fashion, ecology, zero waste, stylization and others.
Since 2016 The Clothes Library had several workshop and social actions, such as Upcycling workshops in crocheting, meeting and talks during breakfast concerning sharing economy, slow fashion, ecology, zero waste, stylization and others.
Potential for learning or transfer
The Clothes Library is spreading their message in local and national media. It provides clothes throughout Poland. It provide clothes not only at local shop, but can send it to wherever in Poland. The Clothes Library initiate the circular economy principles, or more precisely, sharing economy, into their business model as well as trainings and meetings.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
Biblioteka Ubrań
Poland
Dolnośląskie
Contact
Senior Specialist