Threads of Change

At the heart of our Circle initiatives is a close partnership with Traid, whose commitment to reducing textile waste aligns deeply with our own. Guided by a shared goal to keep well-crafted pieces in circulation, we work together to find positive avenues for previously worn clothing.

Since 2023, we have diverted 2,342.3 kilograms of textiles from landfill, redirecting them to various paths of re-use. 51% sold in Traid charity shops around the UK, 26% sold to a Traid retail partner in Lebanon, and 23% have been reused by student groups or repurposed into building insulation or car seat filling.

“It's meaningful to be working with TOAST, a brand which carefully considers both how and where garments are produced,” says Jose Baladron, Head of Partnerships at Traid. Jose first met our team at a Textiles 2030 summit (now known as the UK Textiles Pact), where we quickly found common ground and the seed of a promising collaboration was sown. “At Traid, we advocate for quality products made from lasting materials, so TOAST is a seamless match.”

Traid has recently launched a new sorting hub, where a skilled team sifts through 50 tonnes of donations per week. The non-profit previously operated from three separate warehouses, but combining them into one central location has led to greater operational and energy efficiency. “The new warehouse also offers upgraded amenities and welfare facilities,” explains Jose. “Prioritising the well-being and comfort of our staff is crucial to ensure a positive working environment.”

Rose Nkore, Sorting Supervisor at Traid, remembers the early days of our partnership. “When the first TOAST delivery arrived and I felt the fabrics, I wanted to take it all home,” she recalls with a smile. Two years later, that tactile experience still stands out, capturing what drew her to Traid in the first place: the desire to help rescue high-quality clothing from the waste stream.

Her favourite TOAST items are two dresses she purchased second hand; one she wears “almost like a uniform,” and the other she sent to her sister in Africa. “When she received it, she was surprised that it wasn’t new,” says Rose. “It’s still in very good condition and she treasures it – but perhaps she will pass it on one day, too.”

In the new warehouse, Rose and her team have more space to assess the condition of an item, and additional sorting tables allow them to work through the donations at a faster pace. These upgrades are valuable, but for Rose, it’s the stronger sense of community that has transformed her work life. “We're now all under one roof, so we get to see everyone every day. It has made such a difference.”

Traid’s Product Manager, Lella, also feels this positive shift. “Over the past two years, Traid has really evolved. Now, we have centralised all of our systems and made significant investments in our workspaces – the new warehouse space is amazing.”

Having studied fashion and the history of clothing at university, Lella has long appreciated vintage and secondhand garments – pieces whose fabrics capture a moment in time. Yet in 2025, the majority of clothing reflects a culture of disposability and constant replacement. “From the beginning, I could see that the quantity of clothes in the world was overwhelming,” she says. “I wanted to do things differently and contribute to the change. I really think the Traid and TOAST approach is the future.”

Elaine Joseph, who has been with Traid for over 25 years, has always been drawn to fashion, but like Lella, struggles with the industry’s wasteful side. “Years ago, when I came to this country, I discovered charities driving real change, and I just knew this was where I was meant to be.”

Working in the sorting hub for more than two decades, Elaine has noticed a general deterioration in the quality of garments with the rise of fast fashion: thin fabrics, weak stitching, snags and loose threads even before an item is worn. Traid finds a use for all clothing, but part of its mission involves promoting proper construction and the use of natural, durable materials that are kinder to the environment. Recent projects include expanding Benin’s organic cotton sector and growing pesticide-free crops in southern Ethiopia. “Seeing the work Traid is doing across the value chain encourages and inspires me,” Elaine reflects.

Additionally, Traid works closely with READ (Rights Education and Development), a non-profit organisation based in Tamil Nadu, South India, which aims to end the exploitation of Dalit and tribal youth in spinning mills and factories. For each previously loved or past-collection item sold through TOAST Reworn, 10% of the revenue is donated to this cause.

The programme provides educational scholarships to Tamil Nadu's young female population, freeing them from forced labour and assisting them in securing fairly paid jobs by building literacy and numeracy skills. “One of the most rewarding things about working together with TOAST has been seeing the impact it has on other people,” says Jose. “So far, the funds have supported scholarships for 88 young women.” Part two of our Threads of Change campaign will focus on the stories of these women.

While we are proud of our progress to date, we are ambitious about what can be achieved through our continued partnership with Traid. To continue making a difference and curbing the harmful cycle of textile waste, we rely on the support of our community.

The decision to pass on an unwanted piece of clothing doesn’t just save it from landfill – it weaves it into a wider story. Each donation becomes a thread in a global fabric of considered textile production and mindful consumption. “Every piece of donated clothing has a journey,” reflects Elaine, whose own journey with Traid is an ongoing source of meaning. “For me, it starts right here in this warehouse, with these hands.”

Find out how to donate your TOAST pieces & enter our prize draw

Words by Bébhinn Campbell.

Photography by Marco Kesseler.