Fashion emissions are responsible for up to 4% of global carbon emissions, making it one of the biggest industrial contributors to climate change. But modern brands are proving that growth and sustainability don’t have to be at odds. 

By embracing circular business models like recommerce, businesses can keep high-quality products in use longer, cutting waste, and significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

At Trove, we work with some of the most forward-thinking brands in fashion and outdoor apparel, helping them scale recommerce programs that make a measurable impact. This Earth Day, we’re celebrating the brands leading the way – and showing how you can follow their lead.

Resale Case Studies: Brands Leading the Way in Resale 

A joint study by Trove and Worldly found that one of the most effective ways to lower emissions is keeping existing products in use longer. Resale has the potential to lower annual carbon emissions for premium apparel and outdoor brands by 15-16% by 2040.

By extending product life cycles and reducing reliance on new production, there’s an opportunity to make meaningful strides toward a cleaner planet. 

The good news is, this shift isn’t just theoretical – it’s happening now for real brands: 

• For Eileen Fisher, resale started as a grassroots initiative – employees returning their own garments to be resold, with proceeds going to charity. Today, Eileen Fisher Renew is a thriving business powered by Trove, reclaiming over 1.5 million garments and saving nearly 50,000 pounds of waste from landfills. 
• Outdoor brands are also embracing recommerce as part of their commitment to sustainability. Arc’teryx ReGEAR has become a key pillar of the brand’s ReBird initiative, keeping high-performance gear in circulation while reducing environmental impact. In 2023 alone, ReGEAR saved 74,000 kg of CO2 and diverted 7,400 kg of waste from landfills. Arc’teryx has seen huge trade-in growth as well as a 50%+ increase in repairs, keeping more products in use longer and reducing the need for new manufacturing.
• For brands that emphasize durability, resale is a natural extension of their values. Carhartt Reworked started as a small pilot in six stores before expanding to a nationwide program in just four months. Since launching, Carhartt has kept 56,000+ items in circulation, proving that workwear built to last can have an even longer life.

Circular fashion isn’t just about keeping products out of landfills, it’s about reshaping the way we produce, buy, and own the things we use every day. It’s about designing products for longevity, building customer relationships that last beyond a single purchase, and creating a business model where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand.

The brands leading the way aren’t waiting for regulations to force change. They’re taking action now. This Earth Day, let’s stop thinking of recommerce as an add-on and start treating it as an essential part of how we do business. Learn more in our Decarbonization Report.

Your Resale Questions, Answered

How does resale help reduce carbon emissions?
Resale keeps products in use longer, which means fewer new items need to be made, avoiding the carbon, water, and resource use tied to raw materials, manufacturing, and shipping.

What makes resale a circular business model?
Instead of a one-and-done purchase, resale creates a loop: products are returned, refurbished, and resold, turning “end of life” into “next life” and keeping value in circulation.

Which brands are leading in sustainable resale right now?
Brands like Eileen Fisher, Arc’teryx, and others use resale as a core part of their circular strategy, backed by take-back, repair, and dedicated pre-owned collections.

What are the measurable impacts of brand resale programs?
Mature programs can track concrete outcomes like number of items kept in circulation, pounds of waste avoided, and estimated CO₂ saved per garment or transaction.