From Landfills to Runways: One Woman’s Quest to Make Fashion More Sustainable

In a world where fast fashion reigns supreme, CT Anderson’s mission at Springclean, a nonprofit fashion boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a breath of fresh air. With a career spanning real estate development, sustainability for Walmart, and sustainable finance for Bank of America, Anderson’s latest venture is a culmination of her efforts to reduce waste in the fashion industry.

The fashion industry accounts for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and a staggering 85% of textiles end up in landfills every year. Anderson saw an opportunity to create jobs and keep clothes out of landfills by launching Springclean in her home six years ago. The boutique sells vintage and upcycled clothing, accepts clothing donations, offers on-site alterations, and hosts events and workshops where attendees learn to repair and upcycle textiles.

Anderson’s mission is to divert 90% of what Springclean collects from landfills and provide local artisans with gig economy jobs. She works with over 60 local artists to come up with new designs, and her team of volunteers helps sort, cut, and sew donated items. From turning donated upholsteries into pillows to creating teddy bears from last season’s Hornets T-shirts, Anderson’s creativity knows no bounds.

But Anderson’s journey to sustainability began long before she launched Springclean. Growing up, she was taught to care for people and the planet by her parents. She studied political science at Howard University and earned a graduate degree in urban policy at The New School in New York City. Her experience as director of sustainability for Belk changed her view of the apparel supply chain, and she realized that buying fast fashion wasn’t helping the environment.

“I was buying all this stuff every week, and it wasn’t helping what I do with my day job,” Anderson said in an interview. “I wanted to find a place where I could donate my items and know they weren’t going to be shipped overseas.”

With a fateful trip to the grocery store in December 2018, Anderson found her calling. A stranger’s comment about “spring-cleaning” his spices sparked the idea for her nonprofit’s name. The web domain was available, and Anderson invested $1,000, which has turned into a thriving business. Springclean has expanded to a 1,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of Kinship, a live-work unit at Camp North End, and Anderson plans to open a second location in Raleigh later this year.

Anderson’s story is a testament to the power of creativity and determination. She didn’t know how to sew when she started Springclean, but she learned through online tutorials and hired a woman to teach her the basics. Giving old things new life is intuitive for Anderson, and she hopes to inspire others to join her mission.

“I want people to see that sustainability doesn’t have to be boring or expensive,” Anderson said. “We can make a difference by choosing to buy second-hand, repairing our clothes, and learning to upcycle. It’s a movement, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

As the fashion industry continues to grapple with sustainability, Springclean is leading the way. With its innovative approach to reducing waste and promoting local artisans, this nonprofit fashion boutique is a shining example of what can be achieved when passion and creativity meet.