The Moving the Needle campaign has returned, following the launch of the initiative in October 2019.
The pinnacle of the campaign, a reverse pop-up shop, will open at six locations around Australia and encourages consumers to return their pre-loved clothes to the 'Empty Shop' instead of contributing to the 311,040 tonnes of clothing waste generated in Australia each year.
The campaign ensures that charity retailers play a key part in Australia's emerging circular economy and are part of the conversation about textile reuse.
The 'Empty Shops' will open at Riverside Plaza (ACT), Chatswood Chase (NSW), Chadstone Shopping Centre (VIC), Myer Centre (QLD), Elizabeth City Centre (SA) and Galleria Shopping Centre (WA).
In a statment, the Moving the Needle campaign said that it is thrilled to have support of key retailers and charities.
"By opening in these locations, Moving The Needle aims to reduce textile waste going to landfill by 20% by 2022.
"Charity partners Salvos Stores, Vinnies and The Red Cross have banded together to bring this campaign to life and are supported by key retailers Myer, Glam Corner, Good Day Girl and Workshop Studio.
"This March 2020 make sure to take part in the initiative and head down to your nearest 'Empty Shop' to help the fashion industry move the needle towards sustainability."
The 'Empty Shops' will be open from March 16 - 22 2020.
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Update 18.03.2020 - Empty Shops pop-ups to close
The Moving the Needle team has released the following statement in regards to the closure of the pop-ups amid the COVID-19 fallout.
"As a partnership of community led and run organisations, The Moving the Needle team have made the decision to close all our Empty Shop pop ups in Vicnity centres effective Wednesday 18th March.
"This will ensure we can focus our attention and efforts in ensuring our op shops can continue to support communities across Australia.
"We’re all very passionate about Moving the Needle and keeping textiles out of landfill and so we encourage anyone who was thinking of donating to the Empty Shop to do so at any one of our 550 locations across the country.
"We will all continue to operate our stores as normal for as long as we can, and updates will be provided by each individual charity over the course of the coming weeks and months.
"We want to thank you all for your support and are looking forward to bringing more Empty Shops to you in the future."