Sustainability
One Million Upthreads was created with a bold and simple goal: to spread the message far and wide about the creativity and impact of upcycled and thrifted fashion — and to inspire and contribute to the growing movement changing and bettering our relationship with our clothing.
Every year, millions of tonnes of clothing are thrown away, destined for landfill or incineration. Meanwhile, the production of new clothing continues to drain our planet’s resources, consuming vast amounts of water, energy, and raw materials.
According to the United Nations' Environment Programme:
92 million tonnes of textile waste are produced worldwide each year.- The Ellen Macarthur Foundation found that clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2015 and at the same time garment use duration fell by 36 percent.
- The fashion and textiles sector makes up 2–8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- The industry consumes 215 trillion litres of water annually—enough to fill 86 million Olympic-sized pools.
- Around 15,000 chemicals are used in textile manufacturing, many of which persist in ecosystems and human tissues.
- Only 1 percent of fibers used in new apparel come from recycled textiles, underscoring the untapped potential for upcycling.
- Fewer than 8 percent of textile fibers in 2023 were sourced from recycled materials.
And the World Bank estimates that it takes about 3,781 litres of water to produce one pair of jeans, equivalent to over a year's drinking water for one person.
More and more people are turning their backs on the world of fast fashion and stepping back into a slower world - one starting with what we already own and what's already been produced.
By showcasing upcycled and thrifted creations, our community helps shift the focus from fast fashion to thoughtful reuse. Whether it's a reworked vintage jacket, a pair of jeans given new life, or a bold ensemble sourced entirely secondhand, each photo shared is a small act of resistance against waste — and a celebration of style, ingenuity, and sustainability.
Our platform invites users to upload their creations, upvote their favourites, and each week we spotlight the most “bold,” “creative,” or “stylish” submissions. It's not just about fashion — it's about valuing resourcefulness, individuality, and care for the planet.
We advocate for the ethical treatment of workers, animal rights and environmental sustainability. This forms part of our ethos but also our operations. One Million Upthreads is committed to:
Promoting the reuse of clothing through upcycling and thrifting
We actively encourage the reuse of clothing by providing a friendly platform where people can upload photos of their upcycled and thrifted outfits. Uploaders can be upvoted and win awards for their most creative, bold and stylish designs.
Green hosting
We run One Million Upthreads using green energy. The site is hosted by Hostinger through their data centre in Manchester, UK, using 100% renewable power.
Supporting relevant causes
50% of any profits will be donated to organisations fighting for sustainability and workers' rights in the fashion industry — including Remake, Clean Clothes Campaign, Labour Behind the Label, Fashion Revolution, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
This project is more than a website. It's an archive of what’s possible when we choose reuse, creativity and community over waste, consumption, and competition. Together, we aim to reach one million uploads — one million reminders that fashion can be joyful, expressive, and sustainable.
Join us. Share your upthread. Change the story.