The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched a new guideline on second-hand and preloved items so that retailers can better adhere to circular fashion economy principles, media reported.
By following this circular model, retailers will further progress they have already made to lengthen the lifecycle of the products customers buy.
Retailers, resale platforms, charity retailers, and other industry experts collaborated in creating the ‘Voluntary Guideline on Second-hand and Preloved Items’.
For clothing, footwear, homeware textiles, and other items, retailers can promote resale markets and platforms; use hire and rental subscription services; and offer product swaps, upcycling, and repair schemes, instead of throwing away items, according to a statement by the BRC.
The guideline emphasizes the importance of quality checks, which clearly inform the customer of the item’s condition.
Moreover, the guideline clarifies that its aim is not to promote the circulation of perfect items, but rather to circulate all items, safe in the knowledge that both the buyer and seller have the exact same level of information and expectation of its condition.
The guideline comes as Oxfam celebrates its Second-Hand September, which encourages people to buy only second-hand items for 30 days in the month of September.
The guideline also recommends retailers work with charity retailers, who are always looking for the good, clean stock to sell or donate to further their good causes.
The BRC’s long-term goal is to limit and ultimately end, the sending of items to landfills unnecessarily and to keep them in circulation for longer so that they can be used and loved by more people.
The BRC is already working with retailers on their journey to Net Zero through their Climate Action Roadmap.
Supported by over 80 major retailers, the retail industry is committed to reducing sector and supply chain carbon emissions to zero by 2040.
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