The problem
Industries like luxury fashion and car manufacturing create lots of waste, including high-quality materials like leather and fabric. At the same time, many people, such as refugees, asylum seekers, and unemployed youth, struggle to find jobs and ways to integrate into society.
Goals
Cartiera, an ethical fashion project started in 2017, tackles these problems by turning waste into beautiful new products while helping people in need. The goals are:
- Reduce waste by reusing discarded materials.
- Promote sustainability through creative recycling.
- Empower people by giving them job training and work opportunities
Approach
Cartiera collects leftover leather and fabric from industries like fashion and automotive and turns them into stylish, handcrafted accessories like bags and wallets. By upcycling these materials, they reduce waste and show how to use resources responsibly.
The project also focuses on inclusion and skill-building. It trains refugees, asylum seekers, and unemployed youth in leatherworking and craftsmanship, helping them learn valuable skills for future jobs. Since 2017, Cartiera has trained 115 people, hosted 21 internships, and provided 15 steady jobs.
Features
Cartiera exemplifies a circular economy model by recovering over 20 tons of leather that would have been thrown away, showing how recycling can reduce waste and help the environment. The initiative’s social impact is equally significant. By training and employing marginalized groups, the project helps people rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities. Cartiera supports traditional craftsmanship, revives old industrial areas and creates new opportunities for skilled work.
Lessons learned
Cartiera demonstrates the potential of combining circular economy principles with social entrepreneurship. By partnering with top brands, the project gains access to high-quality materials and reaches a larger audience. Its success shows how training and empowering marginalized people can solve social problems and bring back valuable skills.
Find out more: https://www.coopcartiera.it/en/homepage/
What you can do
Look for ethical brands when shopping and avoid mass market retailers. Have you heard of thrifting?