SI Moesano, Switzerland
The Soroptimists of Moesano launched Ricicliamo la Moda (“Let’s Recycle Fashion”) to raise awareness about sustainability in the fashion industry and promote responsible consumer habits. In a world where fast fashion dominates, this project highlights the environmental and ethical costs of clothing consumption and offers practical, community-driven alternatives.
Women & girls reached
around 400
Funds raised by the Club
€14,000
Fashion is a powerful global industry, but also one of the most polluting and exploitative. The industry produces 92 million tonnes of textile waste per year, with most of it ending up in landfills or being incinerated[i]. With this in mind, the Swiss Soroptimists chose to act locally, aiming to inspire change and offer concrete solutions for more conscious living.
The project takes a holistic and educational approach. It includes public talks and workshops in schools and the wider community, offering information and practical skills around ethical fashion, textile reuse, and sustainable consumption. Sewing and knitting groups were created to encourage hands-on creativity, sharing techniques to transform discarded clothing into something new. Additionally, five local libraries received curated collections of books on fashion, textiles, and sustainability to deepen community knowledge.
A standout feature is the creation of a monthly pop-up second-hand shop under the project’s name. These welcoming spaces provide high-quality clothes at low prices, demonstrating that fashion can be stylish, affordable, and sustainable. The initiative has so far benefited around 400 people.
While sourcing suitable venues and garments of good quality has posed challenges—particularly given the rise of fast fashion—the Club overcame these through persistence, community connections, and local goodwill. Their motto: never give up!
The project’s success is reflected in strong member engagement, growing customer loyalty, and positive feedback from students. As one remarked, “I have started reading clothing labels and buying less, using what I already have.” This shift in mindset represents the heart of the project.
By fostering dialogue, skills, and action, Ricicliamo la Moda is building a more sustainable future—one garment at a time. The project will continue to grow in 2025–2026.
[i] Source: Earth.org, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Project achieved by
- Organising educational talks and workshops to raise awareness.
- Creating sewing and knitting groups to teach practical skills.
- Running monthly pop-up shops with quality, affordable second-hand clothing.
Partners
- Fashion Revolution Switzerland and Italian-speaking Switzerland.
- ACSI – Consumers’ Association of Italian-speaking Switzerland.