In February, eBay Australia, supported by the Australian Fashion Council, proudly announced RCYCL as a runner up of eBay’s 2024 Circular Fashion Fund, marking a significant leap forward in advancing circular fashion within Australia.

With over two decades immersed in the fashion industry, Belinda witnessed its relentless pursuit of trends. Despite the excitement of the field, she noted a lack of sustainable action and resolved to instigate change. 

Prompted by the devastating bushfires of 2019 and 2020, Belinda leveraged her expertise to launch RCYCL, offering a hassle-free solution for direct-to-consumer clothing recycling. 

Through RCYCL’s return satchels, consumers contribute to the recycling process, with garments repurposed into new yarn or carpet underlay. We had the privilege of speaking with Belinda about her journey founding RCYCL, the insights gained, and her advice for those seeking to make a difference.

Could you share some insights into your background and the journey that led you to start RCYCL?

With over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry, I've witnessed its relentless pursuit of staying ahead of trends. While it's an exhilarating landscape, I found its pace of sustainable action too sluggish.

Experiencing the bushfires during the summer of 2019/2020 prompted me to reflect on how I could make an immediate impact. Drawing upon my skills, I launched RCYCL with modest expectations. The overwhelming interest from businesses eager to contribute validated my efforts and spurred me to continue.

As the recipient of eBay’s Circular Fashion Fund, could you share with us your vision for RCYCL's future initiatives and how you plan to further advance textile recycling and circularity within the fashion industry?

The chance to collaborate with an iconic brand like eBay is truly remarkable! Partnering with such a prestigious brand to announce a simple solution to excessive clothing waste couldn't be more timely. While the media and consumers are well aware of the problem, knowing how to address it remains a challenge.

As humans, we often feel overwhelmed by the daunting statistics and forecasts of climate change and pollution, leading us to feel paralysed. I aimed to break down the problem into manageable chunks so that each of us can take action. By collectively playing our individual roles, we can make a significant impact.

What drives your commitment to circularity and sustainability?

The thought of not being involved in a natural disaster with my family again. I do not want this for anyone. So now I am making my contribution to the industry in which I have loved working in to ‘do better’ for the people and planet.

What have been some of your most significant lessons learned?

Patience is essential in retail, where only trends launched on the shop floor move swiftly. I've mastered the art of aligning with the specific needs of each business and guiding them on the path to sustainability.

If you could impart one piece of advice to someone aspiring to delve into the realms of sustainability and circularity, what would it be?

It's not perfect, nor will any solution be perfect. However, we must initiate action, adapt, and grow along the way. Our goal is continuous improvement, striving for optimal outcomes gradually. We cannot afford to delay sustainability initiatives; instead, we must break them into digestible pieces for widespread acceptance and comfort, enabling us to embrace these projects on a larger scale. 

Discover more about eBay's Circular Fashion Fund here, or stay informed about RCYCL’s progress through Instagram or official website.