Cities are the primary hubs for commerce, consumption - and disposal of fashion. With the rise of fast fashion in the past twenty years, consumption of textiles has more than doubled and the use time of garments - reduced dramatically.

Exports of unwanted textiles have tripled (case of the European Union), while local reuse amounts to no more than 15-20% of separately collected, unwanted textiles. Charities are overwhelmed with the incoming volumes of textile donations. Cities are not involved apart from granting collection permits.

Textile donations collected in Oslo. Photo credit: Lea Gleisberg

Lack of awareness, coordination and common objectives results in Global North cities exporting responsibility for managing negative impacts of over-consumption to the Global South.

Based on past expertise working with cities - and developing successfully implemented projects at the intersection of fashion and social change, Post Growth Fashion Agency is working together with the United Nations and the University of Geneva on a new Guide for Cities on Building Circular Fashion Ecosystems.

If your city is interested to learn more - or in being part of the pilot, please reach out to katia [ at ] postgrowthfashion.com