The Power Behind the Circular Economy

But is the circular economy really all that it’s cracked up to be? 

What exactly is the circular economy?

Chances are you’ve heard the term “circular economy” thrown around when discussing sustainable living. But the circular economy is more than just a buzzword. It’s a unique model whereby waste is minimised and the lifespan of products is maximised. Instead of buying and disposing of an item, the circular economy encourages us to reduce, reuse and recycle. 

From shopping for secondhand clothing for children to toy swapping, this way of living addresses the increasingly worrying trend of fast fashion and overflowing landfills. And with Australia now being the leading consumer of textiles per capita, it’s time to rethink our attitude towards buying items that our children don’t use or worse - end up in the landfill after only a couple of uses. 

How can we be better?

We’re not strangers to the lure that new items have. After all, it usually comes from a good place! We love our kiddos and want to shower them with new, engaging items that make them happy. But the truth is, you don’t need new, cheap items to enrich your children. Secondhand clothing and pre-loved toys are just as great! 

Start by taking inventory of the children’s clothing and toys you have. Think about what you can donate, sell or swap on our toy-swapping app. If your child hasn’t been interested in something for weeks or months, there’s a good chance that it’s ready for a new home. 

If you’ve found that your child’s wardrobe is overflowing with clothes, make more conscious decisions when they go up a size by investing in a capsule wardrobe. Experts generally recommend that children have the following: 

• 6 tops

• 5 bottoms 

• 1 nice outfit

• 2 coats

That’s it! And before you run to the shops to buy brand new, take a look at secondhand children's clothing near you. Invest in high-quality pieces for a fraction of the price while doing your bit for the circular economy. Once you realise just how much you’ve been spending on new toys and clothes, the swapping and pre-loved life becomes addictive. 

Are secondhand items really that beneficial for the environment?

In short, yes. We’re not ones to exaggerate around here, but once you see the data behind the amount of waste average families accumulate (12.5 million tonnes annually in Australia), it’s hard to go back to old, unhealthy habits. 

Preloved toys and clothes have a tremendous impact on the environment. They help preserve resources, water and energy while reducing carbon emissions. By recycling old clothing and toys, you keep them out of landfills or incinerators. And even better, they’re cheap as chips! Who doesn’t love a good bargain?

The power of the circular economy

The circular economy is all about sharing, leasing, reusing and recycling existing clothes and toys for as long as possible. Designed to boost the environment, economy and wider society, it’s time that we all do our bit when looking after the planet with this powerful system.