Students urged to buy second-hand

STUDENTS in Liverpool are turning old jumble into quirky bags to raise awareness of waste in the fashion industry.

Working with disability charity Scope, the Fashion: Design and Communication students from Liverpool John Moores University, took clothes destined for the bin to make the eye-catching products which they are donating back to the charity.

With slogans like ‘stick it to the brand, buy second hand’, the say their message is relevant and urgent.

First-year student Thalia Traynor said: “The fashion industry is responsible for a huge amount of waste that is wrecking the planet. There is huge discussion on social media about sustainability and brands now have no choice but to make more conscious choices and improve their carbon footprints as they are being held responsible.”

More than 300,000 tonnes of used clothing goes to landfill in the UK every year.

The Bags from Rags project is launched on Monday, 20 January at the Scope (Liverpool) store in Lord Street.

Store manager Dawn Woodall, said: “We estimate that each bag of donations is worth around £20.  This could pay for two free calls to the experts on the Scope Helpline who give invaluable advice and support to disabled people and their families.”

The students, coordinated by module leader Marc Provins, have created reported their work on Instagram stories.