Application of Upcycling on Discarded Clothing in Vila Maria (Brazil): A Case of Study on Jeans Articles

Abstract

Currently, the fashion market is driven by the fast fashion model, which is mainly responsible for the increase in clothing production volume. It’s a strategy to force consumers to buy more and rotate collections quickly. In this system, retail stores provide consumers with collections with limited pieces and sizes, inducing consumers to buy and discard products at a rapid pace. The objective of this article is to present sustainable solutions to produce new products, using jeans pants discarded in the Vila Maria region, in São Paulo (Brazil), as raw materials, aiming to extend the life cycle of products discarded by consumers. Methodologically, bibliographical and exploratory research were used, and a case study was carried out during workshops for artisans in the city of Ibitinga (São Paulo, Brazil). The pieces collected in the Promorar community were sanitized and sent to Ibitinga, for an upcycling workshop. The results obtained showed that there is feasibility in reusing items of clothing discarded by the Promorar Vila Maria III community.