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♻️ How KuKu Calculates Carbon Savings
At KuKu, we believe in making sustainability measurable. Every time you resell, give away, or rent an item through our platform, you’re reducing the demand for new production - and that saves carbon.
Step-by-Step: Our Carbon Savings Methodology
Step 1: Assign Emission Factors (kg CO₂e per Item)
- •We use global averages based on lifecycle studies (sourced from WRAP, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and EPA) to estimate the carbon footprint of clothing items. These values reflect the CO₂ equivalent emitted during:
- •· Raw material production
- •· Manufacturing
- •· Packaging & transport
- •· First-use lifecycle
Step 2: Map Items to Emission Categories
- •Each item listed or donated on KuKu is automatically matched to one of the above categories.
- •Example:
- •· A Men’s Jacket is mapped to Outerwear → 32.0 kg CO₂e
- •· A Denim Jacket is mapped to Denim → 20.0 kg CO₂e
Step 3: Apply the Reuse Factor (82% Savings)
- •Studies show that buying secondhand avoids 82% of original emissions, excluding minimal impact from shipping or cleaning.
- •We apply this factor:
- •Carbon Savings = Emission Factor × 0.82
- •So if you resell a pair of jeans:
- •20.0 kg × 0.82 = 16.4 kg CO₂e saved
Step 4: Show the Impact to Users
- •We convert this into meaningful equivalents to help you visualize your contribution.
- •Example:
- •👖 “You saved 16.4 kg of CO₂ by selling your jeans on KuKu. That’s like avoiding 40 km of car travel!”
Clothing Type → Avg CO₂e per Item
| Clothing Type | Avg CO₂e per Item |
|---|---|
| T-shirts / Tops / Tanks | 6.5 kg |
| Shirts / Blouses | 7.0 kg |
| Pants / Trousers / Leggings | 11.5 kg |
| Shorts / Skirts | 6.0 kg |
| Jeans / Denim | 20.0 kg |
| Jackets / Coats / Outerwear | 32.0 kg |
| Sweaters / Cardigans | 17.0 kg |
| Suits / Blazers / Tuxedos | 25.0 kg |
| Dresses (Casual/Party) | 15.0 – 25.0 kg |
| Sleepwear / Loungewear | 8.0 kg |
| Swimwear / Beachwear | 5.0 kg |
| Maternity Wear | 10.0 kg |
| Activewear / Co-ords | 9.0 kg |
| Jumpsuits / Bodysuits | 13.0 kg |
| Wedding Dress | 40.0 – 60.0 kg |
📚 Sources:
- •WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Program)
- •Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Circular Fashion Reports
- •U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- •Green Story Inc. and academic LCA studies
Your impact is real. Every item resold or reused avoids waste, saves emissions, and helps create a circular fashion economy. 💚