Take–Make–Waste Model
This linear production model is criticized in the article for leading to massive garment waste.
What is the take-make-waste model
The article notes that consumers often find it easier and cheaper to do this rather than repair an item.
What is purchase a new item instead of repairing
The article describes this process where brands refurbish and resell goods, rather than making all new ones.
What is re-commerce or refurbished/resold apparel
According to the article, this type of store dominated secondhand fashion before large brands entered the space.
What are thrift shops or mom-and-pop resale stores
The article features Japanese “boro” textiles to illustrate garments that have been this way over time.
What is mended together, visibly repaired
The article estimates this dollar value of clothing is barely worn and rarely recycled annually.
What is “$500 billion”
According to the article, one reason repair hadn’t become ubiquitous is the small size of this industry.
What is the tailoring/alteration services industry
The article mentions up-cycling and designing items of this nature from scraps or old items.
What is turning leftovers or worn items into new designs
The article cites that one in three women shopped secondhand last year and the resale market is expected to reach this figure by 2022.
What is “$41 billion”
According to the article, repair events and exhibitions encourage this kind of behavior rather than just moving on quickly.
What is linger, engage, think about materials
According to the article this company uses a mobile repair truck to allow on-the-spot garment repair.
What is Patagonia (via “Worn Wear” truck)
The article quotes a designer saying: “Why clothing … just gets tossed aside like it’s a plastic straw.” This reflects a barrier of this belief.
What is “repairing is antiquated”
The article describes a program by Eileen Fisher called “Renew” that accepts gently worn garments for resale or redesign.
What is the Eileen Fisher Renew program
The article mentions that when brands enter resale, they aim to do more than treat it as this kind of niche market.
What is a small, cute, niche thing
The article argues that repair supports not only sustainability but also this kind of social value.
What is craftsmanship, skill preservation, community connection
Trend-forecaster Li Edelkoort said people are tired of broken systems and future generations will be more this.
What is “improvised, flexible and focused on smaller runs”
The article points to the concept of “creative repair” which challenges this standard production mentality.
What is the “cookie-cutter mentality”
The article mentions a start-up called The Renewal Workshop that collaborates with brands to create these circular business models
What is brand-partnered garment refurbishment and resale
The article points out that resale platforms like Patagonia “Worn Wear” allow brands to sell the same garment twice, thereby doing this.
What is extend the life of a product or increase margin from one garment
Many consumers never realize this until they repair something themselves.
What is how much effort or quality went into the item
The article links the take-make-waste cycle with this emotional consequence: “It has taken the thrill of shopping away.”
What is diminished consumer excitement or novelty in purchasing
The article cites that repair and reuse help link workers closer to this process, enhancing this social benefit.
What is the design or production process and community connection
The article argues that circularity is not just about environmental benefit, but this business benefit for brands.
What is generating new revenue streams (and reducing waste cost)
The article highlights concerns over the new resale economy still needing to address this structural challenge for small thrift shops.
What is competition with large brands or declining small-store traffic
The article notes that for some designers, repair is a way to reduce this and create new business opportunities.
What is overproduction or waste