Makers Unite and Patagonia take a stand against “disposable” clothes
Makers Unite and Patagonia present ‘United Repair Centre’ a new initiative against “disposable” clothes.
Makers Unite and Patagonia have decided to open in Amsterdam ‘United Repair Centre’ (URC), a center for repairing customers’ clothes from all over Europe.
The latter has a twofold effect: to repair all the clothes of customers from the old continent and to offer jobs and training to all those people who have difficulty finding stable employment.
“The apparel industry is at the beginning of a new era in which repairs and other new services will have a greater impact. We are turning to the industry now because there is a desperate need to do something. This is a unique opportunity for us to create valuable jobs, and we think it makes sense to do it with people who are currently struggling to find employment” said solemnly Thami Schweichler, Managing Director and Co-founder of Makers Unite.
With 300,000 repairs per year, the center would avoid an average of one million kilograms of textile waste. “A structural change is needed in the textile industry. That’s why Patagonia calls on brands to not only focus on increasing sales, but to stimulate reuse and extended use of garments through repair and recycling” finally said Willem Swager, Director of Finance & Operations EMEA at Patagonia.
Meanwhile, Patagonia has started the Worn Wear Repair Tour in Europe, an event where all enthusiasts can repair, share and recycle their gear. More information can be found here.
