Online resale platform ThredUp has said that it recirculated some 2.3 million secondhand items through its Resale-as-a-Service (RaaS) last year.
In its fourth annual Impact Report, ThredUp outlined the progress it made in terms of advancing its ESG strategy during 2024, with the company’s co-founder and chief executive, James Reinhart, noting that the platform, which originated 16 years ago, has evolved into a “powerful, undeniable movement”, with some 200 million items processed to date.
“This fourth annual impact report is a testament to our deepening impact, showcasing how our relentless focus on operationalising circularity at scale is not only helping us expand our vast marketplace, but also shaping the future of fashion for good,” he commented.
ThredUp also reported the sale of some 771,043 items through its Rescues channel last year – products with potential flaws such as minor stains or small holes – with a total of 6.3 million items sold through this channel to date.
Slow Fashion Caucus
The California-based firm, which has expanded its network to include 50 brand partners, including Reformation, Torrid, Madewell, Gap, and Athleta, also participated in the launch of the Slow Fashion Caucus last year, where chief strategy officer Alon Rotem emphasised the role of public policy in advancing sustainable practices within the fashion industry.
Elsewhere, in partnership with The AZEK Company, ThredUp recycled 182,400 pounds (82,735 kilograms) of materials in 2024, representing a 62.9% increase from 2023, while the company also collaborated with American Circular Textiles to launch a Sales and Use Tax petition to oppose the double taxation of secondhand goods.
The company added that it ‘remains committed’ to publishing an Impact Report each year, in order to provide transparency into its operations. Read more here.
Read more: Second-hand clothing exports can have positive socio-economic impacts
