The idea
Emergence Re-Stock is a six-month pilot circular-fashion platform that partners with local brands, community groups, and recycling centres in the Stroud district to collect, grade, upcycle, and consign dead-stock clothing. It aims to divert 50 tonnes of textiles from landfills and engage 150 community members through maker days and workshops. It combines a zero-cost consignment model for brands, professional grading and “digital passports” for transparency, and end-of-life routing to accredited recyclers, all supported by a CIC governance structure and targeted marketing to secure matched crowdfunding pledges.
What we'll deliver
- Collect and sort 50 tonnes of surplus clothing from local fashion brands.
- Host six public upcycling workshops to teach repair and creative reuse skills.
- Launch an online marketplace to sell reworked garments and support local brands.
Why it's a great idea
Environmental Benefits
Emergence Re-Stock will significantly reduce local textile waste by keeping materials in use for longer rather than sending them to landfill
By diverting surplus clothing into repair, resale and recycling streams, the project aligns with closed-loop principles that conserve resources and minimise pollution
Partnering with accredited recyclers ensures that any unsold items are processed in certified facilities, preventing microplastic release and toxic leachate from landfilled textiles
Economic Benefits
Local fashion brands benefit from a zero-cost consignment model, recovering revenue from otherwise wasted stock and reducing write-off losses
Emergence Re-Stock creates immediate employment, funding a project coordinator and workshop leads, and establishes a volunteer-to-paid pipeline for local trainees
Reinvesting a share of platform commission into community grants and services amplifies the local economic multiplier effect, supporting SMEs in logistics.
Steps to get it done
- Initiate project planning and secure local partnerships.
- Collect surplus textiles and acquire upcycling materials.
- Launch community workshops and training sessions.
- Showcase upcycled products through local events.
- Evaluate impact and plan for project sustainability.
