BRC second-hand guidance praised in parliaments
Dr Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Textiles and Fashion, tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons welcoming the guidance and the SRC worked with Maurice Golden, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the North East Scotland region, to secure cross-party support for his motion.
Commenting on the guideline, Dr Lisa Cameron, said:
"It is great to see retailers take responsible initiatives to deliver a more circular economy. This practical and detailed Guideline will support retailers, brands, and resell platforms to keep thousands of products in use for longer, an important move towards their aim and ambition to limit, and ultimately end, sending items to landfill. Parliament welcomes this guidance, and we hope to support more actions taken by retailers to further the circular economy in the future.”
The voluntary Guideline outlines the steps retailers can take to adhere to circular economy principles. By following this circular model, retailers will further the progress they have already made to lengthen the lifecycle of the products we buy.
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.
With an estimated £140 million worth of clothing sent to landfill every year, according to WRAP, and 88% of people wanting brands to help them live sustainably, according to GlobalData, the BRC and its members reiterate their duty of care to their customers and their responsibility in ensuring more circular economy principles are adhered to.