Assessing the Social and Environmental Impact of a Clothing Reuse Business Model: The Case of Circular Thrift—An Innovative, Community-Based Startup

Iva Jestratijevic () and Ragul Senthil
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Iva Jestratijevic: Merchandising and Digital Retailing Department, College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA
Ragul Senthil: Hospitality & Retail Management, Texas Tech University, 1301 Akron Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-16

Abstract: To contribute to the emerging knowledge on the sustainability impacts of small, circular clothing reuse businesses in the US, we employed a case study research methodology to empirically test the case of Circular Thrift, an innovative, community-based startup business model with potential to create a circular fashion ecosystem on the firm level. Primary data on circular activities were collected on site within the first year of business operation. The Life Cycle Assessment methodology was conducted to assess environmental impact avoidance. The social impact of reused products was assessed to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the benefits of born circular business models. Tangible environmental benefits accounted for the collection of 10,772 apparel units and resulted in the diversion of 2311.05 kg (approximately 5095 pounds) of clothing from the local landfill. Social impact accounted for 45.86% of the collected items that were given back to the local community. Empirical testing of the environmental benefits of a Circular Thrift business model makes a strong case for scaling up reusable efforts as a means to address post-consumer textile waste at the local community level within the US, where formal and government-regulated resource collection and recovery systems still do not exist.

Keywords: reuse; circular; LCA assessment; SLAC assessment; small; sustainable; business; clothing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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