For the first time, the International Day of Zero Waste will spotlight a specific sector: textile and fashion waste. The fashion industry’s current linear model of overproduction and overconsumption has significant environmental and social impacts:
- Over 92 million tonnes of textile waste are generated annually – that’s a garbage truck full of clothing incinerated or dumped in landfills every second.
- Clothing production doubled from 2000 to 2015, while garment use duration decreased by 36 per cent.
- The use of fossil fuel-based synthetic fibres contributes to microplastic pollution, harming ecosystems and human health.
- Studies show that clothing, including underwear made from low-quality synthetic materials, often contains endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates and PFAS, which can interfere with our hormones and overall health.
- Discarded clothing often ends up in the Global South, where inadequate waste management leads to open dumping, burning, and severe environmental and social consequences, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to waste, pollution, and resource depletion, with fast fashion driving excessive production, unethical labor, and environmental harm.
Fashion shouldn’t come at the Earth’s expense.
What we can do
What we could do is embrace more mindful consumption by choosing second-hand, supporting sustainable designers, and valuing quality over quantity.
In Cyprus, several businesses and designers are committed to sustainability, offering second-hand clothing, upcycled pieces, and ethically produced fashion. Here’s a list of places we gathered where you can shop more consciously:
Second-Hand & Vintage Stores in Cyprus
- Lemons Vintage (Nicosia): A boutique offering a curated selection of vintage clothing and accessories.
- Old Classic Thrift Shop (Nicosia): Known for its diverse range of thrift items, this shop provides a unique shopping experience. https://www.instagram.com/theoldclassicthriftshop?igsh=MXJiaGNieGV1M3hvdw==
- Skintones Second Hand Shop (Limassol): Offers a variety of second-hand and vintage fashion pieces from various brands and styles. https://www.skintones.shop
- Planet 21 (Limassol): Thrifted and vintage clothing and accessories https://www.instagram.com/planet21thriftshop?igsh=NTV3NGJzYnF3bzdx
- Zalou Shop (Limassol): A unique thrift store with carefully curated second-hand fashion finds. https://www.instagram.com/zalou_cy?igsh=NDBkN2gzNmFmOW4x
- RightHere (Limassol) A second hand store in Limassol, which strives to make a difference , standing against injustices. https://www.facebook.com/share/1BwTxqtyJd/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Garage Community Pop-Up (Various Locations): A pop-up project filled with thrifted items and good music vibes brining a unique perspective and engaging local community https://www.instagram.com/the_garage_community?igsh=eGtoejF0eTI1cHQ1
- Ariam sustainable fashion (Online and pop up) vintage women clothing from the 80s and 90s https://www.instagram.com/ariamsustainablefashion?igsh=OWRoMGk5cTV0cnB4
- Arcadia sustainable clothing and more: Creating clothes in a sustainable and ethical way. They also host upcycling workshops https://www.instagram.com/arcadiacy?igsh=MXNxY3htZTE5dzVycA==
- Son of a thrifter man (online second hand store) Selling vintage and pre-owned items https://www.instagram.com/arcadiacy?igsh=MXNxY3htZTE5dzVycA==
- Larnaca Thrift store (Larnaca) https://g.co/kgs/5NZ4Cdj
- Sereni finding treasures (online store): Thrift store delivering all over Cyprus https://www.instagram.com/serenifindingtreasures?igsh=MTIzdzNjODZ1OWlhOA==
- Thrifthood.cy (Nicosia and online) Vintage and handpicked streetwear https://www.instagram.com/ariamsustainablefashion?igsh=OWRoMGk5cTV0cnB4
- Dostou Chance: Social enterprise that offers a variety of clothes based on Conscious design and ethical trade https://www.instagram.com/dostouchance?igsh=bW1qY2R4cDl6MjVx
- Thrifted and more Cy (in pop us and on Depop): Hunting thrifted and pre-loved https://www.instagram.com/thriftedandmorecy?igsh=MjVvaHZvdzl1MTJo
- West Side shop (Nicosia showroom and online): A very modern unisex store with mainly American vintage pieces https://www.instagram.com/westsidevtg?igsh=NjE5dzB0c2l1ZGp0
- The Vintage Company (online): Online vintage store with selected pieces from Cyprus since 2013 shipping worldwide https://www.instagram.com/the_vintage_company?igsh=MWVscDg1aTE1dXJycA==
- i am Vintage (Paphos and online): One of the most popular online vintage stores in Cyprus with vintage and second-hand pieces https://www.instagram.com/iamvintagecp?igsh=MWFrbGNreGs5cTZ1OQ==
- Sensorium: Limassol based second hand and vintage fashion store https://www.instagram.com/sensorium_cy?igsh=cGVjeGVicXZkMGk4
- Bass on Wheel (market): Organised mainly in Limassol, this market is not just about clothes but it is filled with local vendors, artists, and local food https://www.instagram.com/bassonwheel/
Local Designers and Initiatives Promoting Sustainability
- MOTIVW (Nicosia): A project aiming to raise awareness about fabric waste and promote sustainable fashion through circular design practices. https://www.motivw.eu
- Fashion Heritage Network Cyprus (FHNC): A network of young Cypriot designers and creatives committed to exploring and creating sustainable fashion designs that incorporate Cypriot heritage elements. https://fashionheritagecy.com
- Christina Dymiotis: An advocate for sustainable fashion, Christina integrates Cypriot fashion heritage with contemporary, eco-friendly designs – founder and director of Fashion Heritage Network https://www.christinadymioti.com
- Michalis Pantelidis: A sustainable fashion textiles designer who creates meaningful designs celebrating Cypriot heritage and advocating for social change. https://michalispantelidis.com
- Yiavrimou – Unisex, handmade, sustainable clothing by Anna Michaelidou https://www.instagram.com/yiavrimou_?igsh=azI1ZXUya2FuaWtw
- Fashion Revolution Cyprus: An initiative aiming to raise awareness about the manufacturing process, promote the slow fashion movement, and inspire consumers to shop consciously. https://www.instagram.com/fashrev_cy?igsh=MWVvNnQ3bnc4bWRmeQ==
- Fythkiotiko: A typeface and embroideries, inspired by the traditional weaved tapestries “fythkiotika” designed by Natali Touloupou https://www.instagram.com/fythkiotiko?igsh=MTFkdGIwZTBjMzAzeQ==
- The Monstera project: An independent clothing brand Sustainable fashion born in Cyprus https://www.instagram.com/the_monsteraproject/
This is just an indicative guide created by us to help you start exploring second-hand shops and more sustainable fashion options in Cyprus. There are many small local designers, online shops, and independent sellers you can discover with a bit of research to find those that align with your values. Additionally, platforms like Vestiaire and Depop allow users to buy and sell second-hand clothing, with many sellers based in Cyprus.
If you know of more second-hand stores or sustainable fashion initiatives in Cyprus, please share them with us so we can continue to build and support our community’s journey towards mindful consumption!
Zero Waste Alliance actively supports a lifestyle that prioritizes sustainability, mindful consumption, and waste reduction. We advocate for solutions to tackle textile waste and promote initiatives that contribute to a circular economy. The photos featured in this blogposot are from our participation in an event in December, where we showcased and promoted two talented local designers, Michalis Pantelidis and Anna Michailidou, both supporters of our alliance and share our vision for a more sustainable fashion industry.
