Project Repat is a social enterprise that sells repurposed bags and scarves. But there's more: the initiative takes hold of an issue that seems to be swept under the rug. When you give away an old tee, it's likely that it ends up being plonked on the Majority World.
"These shirts are packed in giant crates and make the long journey to the center of the used t-shirt markets of the developing world where they are resold to local businesses in Kenya, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Haiti, and scores of other places," write Project Repat in their mission statement.
To do something about this, the social enterprise collaborates with local small businesses and artisans to create a revamped product, with all profits going to support non-profits in the country from which they came. What's more, the more products they sell, the more jobs created.
If you take anything away with you here, make it this crucial reality that Project Repat sheds light on: "The next time you are thinking about buying a new shirt, just remember that American over-consumption is so rampant that the vast majority of our shirts end up dumped on other countries."
Contact Information
Project Repat website
Project Repat on Facebook
Project Repat on Twitter
Revamped Castaway Accessories
Project Repat Collaborates with Artisans in the Majority World
Trend Themes
1. Repurposed Fashion Products - Social enterprises that create repurposed fashion products from old textiles are disrupting the traditional fashion industry and reducing textile waste.
2. Global Collaboration with Artisans - Collaborating with local artisans and small businesses in the Majority World creates a global impact in supporting non-profits and creating jobs.
3. Raising Awareness on Over-consumption - By highlighting the impact of American over-consumption and its effects on textile waste, social enterprises such as Project Repat can raise awareness and promote sustainable consumption.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Textile Industry - The fashion and textile industry has an opportunity to incorporate sustainable and circular fashion practices by supporting and collaborating with social enterprises that use repurposed textiles.
2. Social Enterprise Industry - The social enterprise industry can create innovative solutions to address textile waste and promote sustainable consumption by partnering with local artisans and non-profits.
3. Non-profit Industry - Non-profits can benefit from partnerships with social enterprises that create repurposed fashion products, generating revenue to support their initiatives while promoting sustainable consumption and reducing textile waste.