Sweden is promoting the use of second-hand clothing purchases, recognizing that the large amount of clothing plays a role in environmental damage.
To produce one pair of pants, approximately 7,571 liters of water are required, according to the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP.
Support the TIME. Preserve the truth.
Professional journalism is in the public interest. Your support helps it remain independent and credible. Contribute too. 1 euro makes a difference.
Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeSweden's second-hand clothing exchange initiative began in 2010 and has grown.
Last year, about 140,000 people participated in 140 clothing swap events and received more than 44,000 used items, the AP reported.
Last year, Swedes were banned from throwing their clothes in the regular trash, in a European Union effort to encourage recycling. But the measure backfired when municipal collection points became overwhelmed, leading to piles of unused textiles, and the government reversed part of the rule in October.
Clothes swap events are organized by the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation. Its chairwoman, Beatrice Rindevall, said that each Swede throws away about 9-10 kilograms of clothes.
Swedes buy an average of 25 new items of clothing per year, according to the Association, and 90% of those clothes are never used.