Circular Thinking 101
2024 was a record breaking year for Conscious Costume, thank you so much for being a part of that! I’ll share our full impact report soon but for now, I wanted to revisit a core concept of our work and provide a “101” course on circular thinking!
Circularity, or a circular economy, typically applies to a system of material use. It is an economic model that prioritizes sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, and recycling materials. This is in comparison to the conventional economy, generally considered a linear economy.
Thank you to the Final Straw for this beautiful graphic.
Circular material use sees the role of the costume professional as a steward of materials, one step in the complex supply web, one moment in the journey of that material from its creation to the moment that it returns to the earth as either a nutrient or a poison. Picturing myself as this small dot in a web of supply systems and waste removal helps me stay conscious and considerate about the choices I am making. Here are some examples of ways to be circular in costume production
Buying second hand materials
Renting or borrowing costumes
Giving away or sustainably re-home excess material (avoid thrift stores, read why here!)
Allowing performers to purchase their costumes at a low cost
Buying more durable costumes/shoes/etc… and repair them as much as possible.
Downcycling damaged costumes into rags, etc…
Bringing reusable bags shopping with you
Designing and building with reuse in mind
Pulling costumes from stock
However, it is almost impossible to escape the “linear economy” in our modern world, cultural norms and product quality make reuse and repair difficult or stigmatized! How often do you see powerful people walking around in patched clothing? You don’t because of the stigma! A linear economy takes new materials from the earth, makes it into an item, and then the item is thrown away. Here are some examples of linear economy choices
Throwing away single use packaging on garments
Buying cheap materials that are easily broken
Replacing damaged clothing instead of repairing
Getting a new, disposable bag each time you go shopping
Buying all new costume materials
Hoarding excess materials and costumes “just in case”
Other helpful terms
Closed-Loop: Sometimes, one company will take back their product and repair it, or take the base materials to be used in new products, this is known as a closed loop system because the company isn’t taking in new materials and provides a way for customers to not waste the product when they are done.
Upcycling: transforming a material into one of higher value, such as turning plastic bottles into a piece of art.
Recycling: transforming a material into one of the same value, such as processing paper waste into new paper.
Downcycling: transforming a material into one of lower value, such as shredding fabric into fiber fill, making it difficult to return to a wearable textile (better than landfill though).
Why do I think circular thinking and reuse is the “silver bullet” for sustainable costuming? Extending the life of a garment by just 3 months leads to a 5-10% reduction in environmental impact. By being more aware of what we buy, use, and waste, we can work towards a future where every costume is built in harmony with people and planet.
Recommended media:
The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer (affiliate link)
“A menu of foods we might lose forever” TED talk by former chef to President Obama
