Our mission is simple  *publicize the negative impact of the fast fashion industry

and cultivate sustainability by appreciating garments that already exist.*

The fast fashion industry is a major violator of both environmental and human rights globally.

Garment manufacturing is the number one global polluter for many reasons:

   1. OVER-PRODUCTION & WASTE: Hundreds of billions of new garments are produced every year. Supply supersedes demand and the tons of unsold clothing goes straight into landfill. The clothing produced is often poorly manufactured with low-quality materials and many construction imperfections; therefore, these garments generally only survive a few wears and washes. Consumers then discard these damaged pieces, inevitably sending them off to landfill.

   2. COTTON: Contrary to popular belief, cotton is not a more conscious alternative to synthetic fabrics. Cotton is an extremely water-intensive crop. Furthermore, dangerous pesticides and insecticides are typically used in its production. When used, these chemicals spread throughout waste water and affect nearby communities.

   3. PLASTICS: Synthetic fabrics are produced using non-renewable resources including plastics and petroleum. When synthetic fabrics are discarded to landfill, they breakdown and release micro-plastic into the environment and oceans.

   4. CARBON FOOTPRINT: Most garments produced in the fast fashion industry are manufactured in separate steps, at separate locations. This leads to carbon-intensive shipping processes, both during manufacturing and during distribution to retailers.

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The garment industry has also been associated with HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS throughout history, which are even more horrifying than the industry’s environmental effects. The vast majority of clothing brands produce their merchandise overseas, where workers do not share the rights that we know as employees. Garment factory workers are subject to intensely long hours, unethically low wages, and are primarily women & *children* - there are no labor unions as we know them. There have been numerous reports of human trafficking, sexual crimes, and violence within these factories.

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Brands that oppose this type of clothing manufacturing have been unified under the umbrella term “SLOW FASHION.” Conscious, ethical, and sustainable - these adjectives are used for branches of slow fashion, and while there are some slight differences in focus between individual brands, the message is clear: the modern-consumer-model for the fashion market is focused on inexpensive clothing with a quick turn-over, and the conscious consumer cares that this model is not sustainable. 

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5 years ago, Marissa and Emma vowed to not buy anything NEW in life and in business, to reduce their environmental footprint, and to exclude their dollar from the revenue stream of the fast fashion industry. Everything (with very few exceptions) used at RECLAIMthreads is secondhand - booth decor, racks, hangers, storage bins, fabrics, thread, packaging, etc. In places where sourcing secondhand isn't possible, recycled, recyclable, and compostable materials are used.