The circular economy is a trendy concept that emerged in the 1970s. But what exactly does it mean?
What is the circular economy concept?
It is an economic system of exchange and recycling that aims to increase the efficiency of resource use and decrease the impact on the environment, while developing the well-being of individuals.
Since the industrial revolutions in Europe and the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries gave humanity the ability to mass produce, society has primarily operated in a linear economy: We take natural resources, create goods and products, and once they are no longer useful, they go into the trash and then into the landfill.
For the first few centuries, it seemed like everything was fine; then we realized that these products were either harmful to our health, bad for the environment or, like plastic, could take thousands of years to degrade.
In 2018 alone, landfills received 27 million tons of plastic, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, EPA. The latter also estimated that of the 17 tons of new textiles generated in 2018, 11.3 tons ended up in landfills: Every second the equivalent of a garbage truck of textiles is thus thrown in the landfill or burned.
In 2018, in France it is 300kg of waste per capita that was put in the landfill - 316kg for the European average (Source: Ministry of Ecological Transition - ADEME)
Why buy a pre-owned luxury bag?
In a circular economy, waste and pollution are eliminated, transforming the linear economy model into a circular model. Instead of ending up in landfills, materials and products, at the end of their use or lifespan are either recycled or resold. This gives materials and products a second life - and hopefully a third life and then a fourth etc.
According to ADEME, the circular economy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 48% by 2030.
So what does a circular economy mean for the fashion industry? "The future of fashion is circular. It has to be," said designer Stella McCartney.
In fashion, it all starts with the design process. When designing a piece, designers need to consider whether the materials they use are environmentally friendly and whether the item - accessory, handbag or garment - has a second life.
Will someone else want to buy it when its current owner no longer has a use for it? Instead of going to the trash, fashion items should be able to be recycled, transformed or resold.
IconPrincess' role in circular fashion
The future of our planet and what we will leave to our children are major concerns.
To reduce our carbon footprint significantly, we have given up our lucrative careers in large corporations where we travelled the world all year long.
Retired in a medieval village in the heart of Beaujolais, we recreated our universe. The nature is wonderful, authentic, far from the noise of the big city.
But our passion for luxury leather goods is intact and we wanted to share it with you.
Thus was born IconPrincess.com, a website selling vintage and second-hand luxury bags and accessories whose authenticity we guarantee.
We take back the bags and accessories you loved. We call them 'pre-loved' items.
We offer you the opportunity to sell them on our site for the lowest commission on the market.
We buy certain bag models from you at a fair price.
If you wish, we will buy backcertain items purchased on our site within 180 days of your purchase. No strings attached! We are the only ones to do this in Europe.
So instead of taking up space in your dressing room, IconPrincess gives a second life to your luxury items..
Now you understand why to buy a second hand luxury bag..
