TRAID is a charity working to stop clothes from being thrown away.
They have a circular approach to the problems of clothes waste tackling disposal, production and consumption.
Their three main purposes are:
- Reducing waste, carbon emissions and consumption -by increasing clothes reuse across the UK.
- Improving working conditions and practices in the textile industry -by funding international development projects.
- Educating people about the impacts of textile on the environment and people's lives, and teach them how they can make more sustainable choices.
Clothes reuse
TRAID has a network of 1,500 clothes banks, home collections and charity shops across the UK. They support local authorities, businesses, schools and communities towards zero waste in 191 boroughs and districts. The donated clothes are turned into high-quality stock for the charity shops through a large process of selection based on condition, quality and style.
Textile industry's working conditions & practices
The funds they raise is the charity shops are committed to international projects aiming at fighting global poverty and improving the conditions and working practices in the textile industry. Today TRAID has launched projects in many fields such as improving the working conditions of garment workers, fighting children forced labour, supporting cotton farmers to reduce pesticide use, establishing co-operating textile businesses, and developing eco-friendly textile production processes.
Education
TRAID works directly with over 10,000 children, young people and adults every year. They deliver practical workshops, talks, lectures, events, seminars and assemblies in schools, universities, youth and community outreach -in partnership with local authorities and housing associations.
