Christina Berger is Senior Director, Corporate Communications, ESG, and Public Policy at ThredUp, the online resale platform that modernized the thrift store experience. On a mission to inspire the world to think secondhand first, ThredUp believes that thrifting can help solve the fashion waste crisis and move us one step closer to a circular fashion future. We interviewed Christina about her work, and what it takes to change our fast fashion culture.

Here are three takeaways from our conversation:

‍Lifecycle assessment data as a way to tell a stronger story

“The crux of our business is based on the fact that buying secondhand is a more sustainable option than buying new. And if we can't say that with ultimate confidence, then we have a problem there.”

Christina and her team have implemented voluntary lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to substantiate ThredUp’s sustainability claims. These assessments, available on their website, scientifically compare the environmental impact of purchasing secondhand clothing versus new items. The data is utilized in marketing campaigns to educate consumers and confidently communicate with policymakers, forming a crucial part of ThredUp’s storytelling.

Innovating against landfills 

“Product circularity and end of [product] life is one of our primary focuses. And I think ultimately we want to extend the life cycle of clothing…as long as we possibly can. And that means putting things back in an American closet where we can, and then managing the items that we can't resell.”

The fashion industry sells somewhere between 80 billion and 150 billion garments a year for a global population of about 8 billion (Vox), resulting in a surplus of clothing sufficient to clothe everyone on the planet (and then some). Scenarios like this are not unique to the fashion industry. 

To address overproduction in the fashion space, Christina is promoting thrifting to positively change consumer behavior and demand. ThredUp supports this mission by extending the life of clothing and efficiently managing items they cannot resell. They also collaborate with vetted partners to handle items unsuitable for resale or their rescue program, with two-thirds of these items sold to domestic thrift stores. They continue to innovate to keep clothes out of landfills.

Industry leaders can draw inspiration from ThredUp's model and contribute to the circular economy by fostering strategic partnerships to address waste management and exploring inventive avenues for reusing and reselling within their value chains.

Resale as a potential solution for all retailers

“I think brands are starting to realize that they're leaving something on the table by not engaging with resale.”

ThredUp not only gives clothes from your closet an extended life but also offers Resale as a Service (RAS), allowing customers to buy new products from their favorite brands through ThredUp's platform. By reselling collected items, ThredUp strengthens the circular economy and fosters new customer connections, benefiting their business, consumers, and the circular economy. 

To learn more about Christina’s work, and for tips on how she builds credibility, trust, and transparency into ThredUp’s sustainability messaging, listen to our latest podcast