How Resellers Can Help Reduce Textile Waste – And Make a Profit Doing It

The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to waste and pollution, with 92 million tons of textiles discarded globally each year. As consumers buy more and discard clothing faster than ever, the need for sustainable solutions has never been greater. Resellers play a crucial role in reducing textile waste—and the best part? It’s also a profitable business opportunity.

 

The Problem: Millions of Garments Wasted Every Year

Fast fashion has fuelled a culture of overconsumption, leading to millions of garments being thrown away instead of reused. Many of these items are still in great condition, yet they end up in landfills or incinerators, harming the environment. Shopping second-hand helps reduce the demand for new clothing production, saving resources like water, energy, and raw materials.

 

The Solution: Reselling Preloved Fashion

Resellers bridge the gap between unwanted clothing and new owners. By sourcing and selling second-hand garments, they help extend the lifespan of clothing, keeping perfectly wearable items out of landfills. The impact of reselling goes beyond individual efforts—it fosters a circular economy where fashion is reused and repurposed instead of discarded.

✅ Cuts down on textile waste by giving garments a second life.
✅ Reduces carbon emissions by lowering the demand for new clothing production.
✅ Encourages sustainable shopping habits among consumers.
✅ Creates a profitable business model while supporting the environment.

 

Where to Source Second-Hand Stock

There are several avenues for sourcing second-hand stock as a reseller, each with its pros and cons:

• The cheapest way: Your Wardrobe. Spring clear-outs are happening right now and this is the best time to search through your wardrobe and bring new life to those pieces you never reached for, or items you may have loved long ago and need refreshing.

• Vinted, Depop, and eBay: Great for finding individual pieces at competitive prices but time-consuming for bulk sourcing.

• Thrift Stores and Charity Shops: Can offer unique finds but require significant effort to curate enough stock. With an ever-growing popularity for thrift/charity shopping, it can be hard to get in first.

• Clearance Sales: Ideal for securing new but discounted stock; however, availability is unpredictable, and you know you're in for a race when sourcing. These can also still be a little over budget.

• Wholesale Suppliers: The best option for consistent, sustainable, and profitable bulk sourcing. I use Preworn Wholesale to source my plain clothing, they do a brilliant bag of Plain Sweatshirts, as well as cheap and cheerful Recycle Bundles. You can get some stuff that may not be reworkable, but other finds are perfect for that accent piece on an item you're working on, and some come straight out of the box brand new!

While marketplaces like Vinted, Depop, and eBay are useful for curating high-value individual items, and thrift store hauls can be rewarding, they are often unreliable and time-intensive. Wholesale sourcing offers a streamlined approach, allowing resellers to maintain stock levels efficiently.

 

Why I Choose Preworn Wholesale

Sourcing second-hand stock can be challenging, but Preworn Wholesale makes it easy and sustainable. Here’s why it’s the best option for eco-conscious resellers:

• Bulk Availability: Get access to large quantities of high-quality second-hand clothing, making sustainable sourcing simple.

• Lower Carbon Footprint: Buying preloved stock reduces emissions by up to 42% compared to purchasing new items.

• Minimizes Textile Waste: Every purchase helps divert clothing from landfills, contributing to a cleaner planet.

• Cost-Effective for Resellers: Wholesale pricing allows for better margins while staying eco-friendly.

• Recycling Bundles: Preworn Wholesale offers curated recycling bundles filled with imperfect or upcyclable clothing, perfect for resellers who want to repurpose fashion and further reduce waste.

• Upcycling-Friendly Stock: Plain sweatshirts and other staple pieces ideal for embroidery, printing, or reworking, providing additional value and creative ways to give clothing new life.

 

Creative Ways to Reduce Waste as a Reseller

Resellers can actively reduce textile waste while growing their business by embracing sustainable strategies:

• Upcycling & Customization: Source plain sweatshirts or basic tees and transform them with embroidery, screen printing, or tie-dye. Find out more on these creative methods here.

• DIY Repairs & Restorations: Clean, patch, or rework damaged stock to create new, sellable pieces. Here's a guide on repair tips every eco-conscious guy or gal should know.

• Bundle Sales: Offer mystery boxes or themed bundles of clothing to encourage bulk purchasing and prevent waste.

• Recycling Unwearable Pieces: Donate, recycle, or repurpose unsellable stock into fabric scraps for crafts or repairs.

 

Final Thoughts – Sustainability Meets Profitability

Reselling isn’t just about making money—it’s about making a difference. By sourcing and selling second-hand fashion, resellers can actively reduce textile waste while building a thriving business. With the right sourcing partner, it’s possible to make a positive impact without compromising profitability.