ThredUp appoints Seth Levey as its first head of public policy and sustainability

Online resale platform, ThredUp, has appointed Seth Levey as its first-ever head of public policy and sustainability, to aid in the development of circular business models, with an emphasis on apparel reuse.

Seth Levey will oversee ThredUp’s efforts to promote policy initiatives to reduce fashion’s impact on the planet in his newly appointed post.

Levey will oversee the company’s broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) operations as well as lead government affairs and policy initiatives that drive impact by pushing the adoption of circular business models.

James Reinhart, ThredUp CEO, said that extending the life of clothing can greatly minimize fashion’s influence on the environment. Government effort to control polluting industries has a long history; they’ve seen legislation and incentives for everything from plastic bags to electric vehicles.  They believe that circular fashion is the next frontier in sustainable policy at ThredUp, and he is delighted to welcome Seth Levey to their team to assist them in their mission to make the fashion sector more sustainable.

Prior to joining ThredUp, Levey worked at Equinor as the director of government relations and public affairs, where he was in charge of developing and advocating for the company’s climate, sustainability, environmental, and innovation policies in the United States. He formerly worked for the Edison Electric Institute and Exxon Mobil Corporation. He formerly provided energy, economic development, and international affairs advice to state governors in the United States.

Levey said that in many organizations, public policy and sustainability are two distinct functions. By combining them into one function, thredUP demonstrates that it recognizes the bigger influence that resale can have on climate goals with government and public backing. The first step in effecting change is educating politicians about the circular economy and thredUP’s business model, and he is excited to take on this new and critical position.