People across the UK are being urged to donate unwanted compression garments to help launch a pioneering new reuse service for individuals living with lipoedema. Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have partnered with charity Talk Lipoedema and circular fashion specialist Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS) to trial the service, aiming to improve access to essential compression clothing while giving unwanted garments a second life.
The project will collect good-quality, ready-made compression garments that are no longer needed. These will be professionally cleaned and sanitised, assessed for condition, and made available through an organised online platform for those who could benefit. This initiative was inspired by findings from a recent survey of 373 people with lipoedema, which revealed widespread frustration over unused garments often stored despite remaining in good condition.
Unused compression garments can represent a significant financial loss and contribute to textile waste. Simultaneously, many individuals with lipoedema face challenges accessing or affording replacements. The survey findings, already published in an open-access research paper, have shaped the development of this new reuse service.
“"Our research highlighted a clear opportunity to reduce waste while helping people access garments that can make a real difference to their quality of life. By working with Talk Lipoedema and ACS, we're creating a practical solution that supports both people and the environment."
"We're now asking people to donate good-quality compression garments they no longer need so we can help launch the service and ensure more people with lipoedema can benefit from compression," added Professor Macintyre.
Through the scheme, donated garments will undergo professional processing before being photographed and listed online. The aim is to create a trusted, accessible route for people with lipoedema to obtain compression garments, extending the lifespan of products that might otherwise go to waste. The project team, including research associates Gigi Jiang and Sophia Murden, is appealing for donations of suitable garments.
Researchers hope the trial will demonstrate how circular economy principles can be applied to healthcare textiles, yielding both social and environmental benefits. Isobel MacEwan, Chair at Talk Lipoedema, stated, “Misfitted compression garments end up in landfills, money is wasted and patients are left suffering. We don’t need more waste – we need better fitting garments and a way to not waste garments that don’t fit.”
Michael Cusack, Chief Sustainability Officer at ACS, commented, “At ACS, we believe there is enormous potential to apply circularity to healthcare textiles. Compression garments are a great example of valuable products that may still have useful life when their original user no longer needs them. This pilot gives us the opportunity to explore how they can be safely recovered, assessed and returned to productive use – reducing waste, conserving resources and potentially helping more people.”
Further information for those interested in donating or learning more about the service can be found at: https://www.talklipoedema.org/compression-reuse
