What is the circular economy – and why should you care?
Ever thought about where your clothes go when you're done with them? Spoiler: Most of them don’t get a second life. The circular economy is here to change that.
If we stopped producing clothes today, there would still be enough clothing on the planet to dress the next six generations … Now, let that sink in.
Instead of “buy, use, toss,” it's about keeping things in use – longer. For clothes, that could mean resale, repair, or even sharing.
And yes, it matters. More than you think.
The shocking reality of overproduction
If we stopped producing clothes today, there would still be enough clothing on the planet to dress the next six generations … Now, let that sink in.
That’s how much we’ve overproduced – and it’s piling up in landfills and being dumped in countries that never asked for our textile waste.
At the same time, millions of parents around the world are buying new clothes for growing kids, while perfectly good clothes sit unused in closets and storage bins.
So, how do we break the cycle? That’s where circular economy practices come in –at both the company and consumer level.
Small changes = Big impact
As consumers, there are simple ways to be part of the circular economy:
Buy second-hand when you can. You’ll save money and the planet.
Sell or donate items you no longer use.
Repair instead of replacing – from clothes to electronics.
Choose brands that design products to last or offer take-back programs.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being more intentional with what we already have.
Read more: Want jeans that last? Here’s the ultimate guide
How Gemz is building circularity into everyday life
At Gemz, we’ve built an entire platform around this mission. We help parents gain control over their children’s wardrobes – making it easy to resell outgrown clothes, extend the lifespan of garments, and reduce waste.
Here’s how:
AI-Powered Digital Wardrobe: Upload clothes in seconds, keep track of what you have, and get reminders of what’s outgrown.
One-Click Selling: No more spending hours listing clothes on marketplace apps. Sell directly from your wardrobe.
Bulk Uploads for Busy Parents: Especially useful for those drowning in baby clothes – because kids grow fast.
Circular thinking is the future – and it's about to be the law
The European Union is introducing the Digital Product Passport (DPP) from 2026–2027, starting with fashion. Every item will need a digital ID that shows its materials, origin, and how it can be reused or recycled.
Everyone will be affected:
👕 Producers must rethink design, labeling, and tracking. Circularity will be required by law.
👩👧 Consumers will gain access to better information – but will also be expected to make more sustainable choices.
🏙️ Municipalities must support reuse models and circular education.
At Gemz, we’re already preparing – with tools that make it easy for families to live more sustainably, without extra effort.
Stay tuned for more information!
Lisa Skaar Næss | Founder @Gemz
