BRC launches retailer guidelines to drive circular economy

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has released new guidelines on selling second-hand goods, to help businesses better follow and advance the concepts of circular fashion.

The guidelines place a strong focus on the value of quality checks, which make the state of the item crystal evident to the client. The BRC’s rules make it clear that its goal is to circulate all products in confidence that both buyers and sellers have the same degree of knowledge and expectations regarding their state, rather than to encourage the circulation of pristine items.

Retailers can encourage resale marketplaces and platforms, utilize hire and rental subscription services, offer product swaps, upcycling, and repair programs, and use hire and rental subscription services for clothing, footwear, homeware textiles, and other products instead of throwing them away.

The recommendations coincide with Oxfam’s Second-Hand September, which encourages consumers to buy solely used goods for 30 days in September. Additionally, it advises businesses to partner with nonprofit merchants who are constantly looking for good, clean goods to sell or gift in support of their objectives.

The BRC stated that its long-term goal is to restrict, and ultimately abolish, the shipping of things to landfills unnecessarily and to keep them in circulation for longer. The BRC is already assisting shops on their journey to Net Zero through its Climate Action Roadmap. The Retail Industry has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in the industry and supply chain by 2040, with the support of over 80 major retailers.

Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said that they’re excited to introduce their first voluntary Guideline on used and preloved goods. The sale of used goods in-store and online can encourage sustainable behaviors at reasonable rates and move them closer to a circular economy as more people look for methods to spend sustainably, especially as the cost of living rises. They hope that this Guideline will assist many people on their journey toward sustainability because retailers are aware of the part they can play in encouraging their customers to shop in more ecologically friendly ways.

Dr Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Textiles and Fashion, said that the responsible actions that retailers are doing to promote a more circular economy are wonderful to see. With the help of this useful and thorough guideline, companies, merchants, and resale marketplaces will be able to extend the useful lives of thousands of products, making progress toward their goal of reducing and eventually eliminating the disposal of waste. The Parliament appreciates this advice, and they intend to encourage more steps that shops to take in the future to advance the circular economy.