bella dea

Clothes hidden away are worth millions Most of us will admit to a dark secret part of our wardrobes that conceal our fashion mistakes and outfits we aim to get back into, just as soon as we have lost that extra stone. But research reveals that UK consumers have around £30 billion worth of clothes which they have not worn for a year hanging around in their closets. With more than two thirds of shoppers willing to buy and wear pre-owned clothing, the report highlights ways in which consumers and businesses can benefit from taking at a fresh look at our leftovers - both financially and environmentally. The report from WRAP, the UK’s leading body on resource efficiency, offers a fresh look at the financial and environmental aspects of the whole journey of clothing - from raw material, to manufacture, purchase, use and disposal of our clothes. Each stage of that journey has a significant environmental impact, the authors point out. For example, over 90% of the water footprint occurs during fibre and garment supply. Washing and drying clothes is the equivalent of around 10% of total carbon emissions from cars in the UK while most of the waste arises once an item is no longer wanted. THE £30bn HIDDEN WARDROBE