Until Sunday, December 28, visitors to Breda can shop for free clothing at the pop-up store FREE FASHION in the city center. The store is located at ’t Sas 1 and is open on weekends: Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
More than enough clothing
The fashion industry is the second most polluting sector worldwide. In the Netherlands, about 300 million kilos of clothing are discarded annually. FREE FASHION shows that there is already more than enough clothing and gives away pre-loved items for free in a store full of surprises. Dieuwertje Vorstenbosch (together with Lot van Os), founder of Free Fashion: “Producing new clothing consumes enormous amounts of energy and water. By buying less new and sharing more or choosing what already exists, consumers make a direct positive impact.”
Significant environmental gains also possible in Breda
In Breda, over 6 tons of textiles are discarded annually via the 55 underground textile containers. Sorting analyses of residual waste show that an average of 6 kilos of textiles per person also ends up in residual waste. This is incinerated and can no longer be recycled. Alderman Peter Bakker (Waste and Sustainability): “Of all waste streams, textile recycling delivers the greatest CO₂ savings. By giving clothing a second life, we collectively achieve enormous environmental benefits and take a step towards a circular city. Initiatives like FREE FASHION show that reuse is not only sustainable but also fun and inspiring.”
