Have You Heard Of Cloop and Circular Fashion in Singapore?

Cloop in action: Driving sustainable fashion forward in Singapore.

Cloop is a circular fashion enterprise based in Singapore, co-founded by Jasmine Tuan and Yinling Tan in 2020. The company is dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of fashion waste by promoting sustainable fashion practices. They founded Cloop after recognizing the challenges and limitations of clothes swapping and the broader issues of textile waste in Singapore. Cloop's mission revolves around the concept of 'closing the fashion loop,' which involves reducing overconsumption and waste through innovative recycling and upcycling metCloop's​.

As of 2022, only 2% of the 254,000 tonnes of clothing and textiles discarded in Singapore were recycled

Programs & Impact

Cloop has introduced a range of initiatives to foster sustainable fashion practices among consumers. One key activity is setting up textile collection points where people can donate apparel in good condition. 

Cloop uses two types of collection boxes, yellow and white, to manage and recycle fashion waste effectively.

1. Yellow Collection Boxes: These are textile recycling bins placed across Singapore for the public to dispose of their unwanted textiles. The items collected in these bins are sent directly to Cloop's ISO-accredited recycling partner and sorted into over 500 categories for reuse, upcycling, and recycling on an international scale. The bins are cleared every week to manage capacity and maintain efficiency​​.

2. White Collection Boxes: These boxes are specifically for gathering items in good condition and can be directly reused or swapped. The textiles collected here go directly to Cloop and are sorted for local resale, swapping, or donation. This system allows Cloop to circulate appropriate items to beneficiaries with specific needs, ensuring that the donated items are used effectively and not go to waste.

As of 2022, only 2% of the 254,000 tonnes of clothing and textiles discarded in Singapore were recycled, highlighting the significant impact potential of Cloop's initiatives​​.

Education and outreach are also central to Cloop's operations. The organization conducts workshops and talks for corporates, schools, and the community to spread awareness about sustainable fashion. These engagements aim to inspire habit changes and promote environmentally friendly practices.

For those interested in practical involvement, Cloop organizes swap events and operates pop-up thrift stores under the banner "Open Wardrobe." These events provide platforms for consumers to shop sustainably by swapping or purchasing pre-loved items. This not only extends the life of garments but also reduces the need for new clothing production, thereby lessening the environmental footprint.

Statistics of Reach and Effectiveness

Cloop has made significant strides in its mission to revolutionize the fashion landscape in Singapore. They have installed numerous textile recycling bins across the city, greatly facilitating the collection of unwanted textiles. Moreover, Cloop's efforts have not only diverted tonnes of textiles from landfills but also provided substantial donations to various charities, underscoring their commitment to social responsibility.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite the successes, Cloop faces challenges, notably the limited infrastructure for textile recycling in Singapore, which complicates their ability to track and enhance recycling rates. Cloop partnered with Life Line Clothing, a Malaysia-based textile recycler, to expand its processing capabilities to tackle this. This collaboration aims to double the textile waste recycling capacity with plans to increase the number of recycling bins across Singapore​​.

Cloop continues to lead by example in the circular fashion sector, demonstrating the power of innovative approaches to tackle environmental issues. For those interested in joining the circular fashion movement or learning more about Cloop's activities, visiting their official website or participating in their events could be a great start​​​​​​.