Junior Sarah Li of Marlboro is paving the way to give clothes a new life with zero waste. Every year, 92 million tons of clothing go to waste according to the Copenhagen Fashion Summit. These clothes are thrown out and forgotten about, largely due to the growing issue of fast fashion. Fast fashion is defined as “inexpensive clothing produced rapidly by mass market retailers in response to the latest trends”.
Li strives to make a difference in environmental protection with her newly developed non- profit organization, Phase Tw0.
“Phase Tw0 is a nonprofit dedicated to addressing and spreading the word on ongoing environmental issues caused by fast fashion and clothing waste,” Li said.
Phase Tw0’s mission is to stop the harmful environmental effects of fast fashion. Fast fashion’s ongoing trendiness has prompted companies to use synthetic fibers and dangerous chemicals in their manufacturing process. Phase Tw0 combats this issue in three ways: donations, thrifting, and recycling. Multiple times a year, Phase Tw0 hosts local thrifts with the clothes they’ve received and sends unsold clothes to the consignment company ThredUP, ensuring that no clothes go to waste.
“As previously avid shopaholics, my friend Nina and I began to realize how much of our purchased garments went unworn,” Li said. “So to prevent this kind of waste from recurring, we looked into second-hand options. With what we discovered, we decided to launch Phase Tw0 as an easily accessible learning tool and an opportunity to make a change.”
Li founded Phase Tw0 in August of 2023. Her role is to organize the different fundraising events, run the social media, and reach out to whoever is needed. As Phase Tw0’s editor, Li researches and adds captions to the organization’s weekly information posts.
“So far we’ve been able to collect hundreds of garments, and, from those and our fundraising events, we’ve accumulated and donated almost $500 to go towards Remake Our World,” Li said.
Attending CHS has given Li’s nonprofit more opportunities to succeed in its mission.
“A few months back, we were able to partner with the Cultural Communications Club (CCC) to put our donation boxes at the school and collect unwanted garments from students,” Li said. “We got a really good amount. We are happy to say that most of them were sold at our last thrift event.”
Phase Tw0 is now looking to expand its non-profit to all of Monmouth County. The positive impact of their work creating new alternatives in the fashion industry with zero waste.
“Every piece we get counts toward fighting for climate justice in the clothing industry,” Li said.
