eBay has announced a new partnership with Reskinned, sustainable preloved clothing repair and resale “specialists”, to expand the online marketplace’s offering of preloved items and reduce growing fashion waste.
Reskinned takes back worn items from shoppers and reconditions them for resale, repurpose or recycling, which keeps the articles out of landfill and extends the product’s life.
Currently working with over 30 brands, including Finisterre, Sweaty Betty, River Island, and most recently Joules; Reskinned says items are generally priced around 40% lower than their high street price, so the choice is “both good for their wallet and the planet”.
The new partnership represents an expansion of eBay’s offering of preloved clothing to include a wide range of items which have been repaired and made fit for resale. It will also connect Reskinned with the marketplaces’ over 20 million shoppers through a “brand approved” shopfront.
In 2021, eBay says it helped save over 17,770 tonnes of fashion items out of landfill – the equivalent of 1,404 double-decker buses.
Across the fashion industry we know there is a greater need to build a sustainable future.
eBay’s global 2022 Recommerce Report, discovered that while financial reasons remain the primary motivator for purchasing preloved items, 42% of eBay buyer respondents also cited environmental concerns and a hope to reduce waste.
The partnership is the latest move by eBay as part of its “ongoing efforts” to reduce fashion from being sent to landfill. It follows the launch of eBay’s ‘Imperfects’ Hub earlier this year, which allows shoppers to get clothes, shoes, and accessories which are considered new with defects but can’t be sold at full price; and Brand Outlet, eBay’s dedicated destination to shop end of season stock at up to 70% off.
Head of Fashion at eBay UK, Jemma Tadd, said: “Across the fashion industry we know there is a greater need to build a sustainable future. Since 1995, eBay has extended the life cycle of products, whether through consumer-to-consumer reselling or now the Imperfects hub, so it’s fantastic to partner with Reskinned, who are at the forefront of empowering the circular fashion economy.
“Pairing eBay’s reach to conscious customers, with Reskinned’s expertise in garment repair, resale and recycling will help extend the lifecycle of products, reduce waste and showcase the variety of routes into a kinder way to shop for the shopper’s wallet and the planet.”