The second-hand clothing industry significantly reduces the environmental impact of textile production and has an underexplored socioeconomic impact.

This report, commissioned by Humana People to People and Sympany+, analyses the socioeconomic impact of this industry in the EU and the United Kingdom, as well as in three African countries: Ghana, Kenya and Mozambique.

It found that the second-hand clothing industry generates significant economic value through green jobs in both continents, supporting economic activity in line with environmental policies.

Moreover, the industry contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, for example by supporting the livelihoods of thousands of second-hand clothing traders and providing affordable clothing options to people around the world.

This report describes what Circle Economy achieved in 2024.

In 2024, they rolled out a new approach to delivering impact which focused on three key objectives to accelerate the global transition to a circular economy: empowering decision-makers (they provided indicators and evidence to ensure accountability in circular economy ambitions), financial support for solutions (they raised sufficient financial capital for circular and just solutions) and building capacity (this involved equipping key actors with the tools needed to implement circular solutions).

The report gives figures to describe their impact. For instance, they have directly supported over 970 businesses and organisations and trained over 7200 people in circular economy principles.