A Guide to Supporting a Circular Economy for Parents and Caregivers

Circularity is a mindset shift: focusing away from quick purchases, and focusing instead on using what you already have, making it last as long as possible, and purchasing carefully. Building a life of improved circularity involves adopting sustainable practices that minimize waste, conserve resources, and keep products in use longer! Here, we lay out tips for parents and caregivers on how to incorporate circularity into your daily life and share the experience with kids.

Shop with Circular Clothing in Mind

Opt for durable, high-quality products that can be passed down or reused by siblings or other families, promoting circular clothing principles. Prioritize quality over quantity to reduce the need for frequent replacements.

Reuse and Repurpose Clothes

Participate in clothing swaps with other families to extend the lifespan of garments and reduce waste, turn nonrepairable clothes into usable rags, and recycle old clothes where possible. Bring kids along for the adventure: engage children in creative activities that repurpose old items into new treasures. 

Embrace Second-Hand Circular Fashion

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Shop second-hand goods by exploring thrift stores and online platforms for gently used items (like Jackalo’s Pre-Loved collection). Teach kids the value of extending the lifecycle of products and reducing demand for new production, thus supporting circular fashion ideals.

Gain Repair Skills for Circular Fashion

Learn how to repair your clothes. You can involve kids in basic repair activities to instill a sense of responsibility for maintaining their belongings! Have a craft day and teach them skills like sewing and mending.

Compost Organic Waste

Organic cottons, like the ones Jackalo uses, can be composted. Involve the little ones in composting activities to divert organic clothing, food scraps and yard waste from landfills. Show them how composting creates nutrient-rich soil for gardening and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with circular economy fashion ideals. What an amazing gardening project!

Support Circular Fashion Brands:

Support brands that prioritize sustainability and circularity in their products and practices, contributing to circular fashion initiatives.

Encourage Sustainable Habits:

Foster a culture of sustainability within the family by involving children in eco-friendly practices such as energy conservation and water preservation. Encourage children to engage in imaginative play with simple, eco-friendly toys and materials. Limit screen time and electronic toys, opting instead for items that inspire creativity and exploration.