Free Designer Clothing Rescues Chile’s Atacama Desert from Fashion Industry Waste

Atacama RE-commerce offers abandoned garments at no cost — consumers pay only shipping to remove clothes from one of the world’s largest textile dumping grounds

That’s the revolutionary concept behind Atacama RE-commerce, an initiative turning the fashion industry’s waste crisis into an opportunity for conscientious consumers worldwide.

Developed by Artplan, Brazil’s largest independently-owned agency, the platform allows consumers to acquire discarded clothing from major global brands at no cost — paying only for shipping. In essence, customers are funding the rescue of abandoned garments from one of the world’s most troubling examples of fashion industry waste.

The Atacama Desert has become an unofficial dumping ground for the fashion industry, with an estimated 39,000 tons of clothing — much of it new or barely worn — abandoned there annually. This growing environmental crisis stems primarily from excess inventory from fast fashion markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

“This isn’t just e-commerce; it’s RE-commerce,” said Rodrigo Almeida, Chief Creative Officer at Artplan. “We’re giving discarded items a voice while challenging consumers to take a more critical look at consumption habits. Each piece carries value, memory, and potential for a new beginning.”

The operation involves a meticulous process of selecting and restoring garments. A specialized team curates the items, ensuring they’re in excellent condition before being cleaned, organized, and listed on the digital platform powered by VTEX.

“We believe every piece has a story and a purpose,” said Mariano Gomide de Faria, CEO of VTEX. “Our mission is to rescue these items and give them a second chance, while raising awareness about today’s excessive consumerism in the fashion industry.”

The initiative launched with significant momentum — its first release of products sold out in less than five hours, with items shipped to more than 10 countries. Additional product drops are planned to sustain the platform’s mission.

The project operates in institutional partnership with Fashion Revolution Brazil and Desierto Vestido, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting circular economy practices in the textile industry.

“We’re living in a Climate Emergency, and the fashion industry needs stronger commitments,” said Fernanda Simon, executive director of Fashion Revolution Brazil. “This initiative invites reflection on the impacts of our current models of production, consumption, and waste while provoking new relationships with clothing.”

The Atacama RE-commerce platform can be accessed at Recommerce.com.

Source: Artplan

  Artplan, Atacama Desert, Atacama RE-commerce, Campaign, Desierto Vestido, Fashion Revolution Brazil, Marketing, partnership, VTEX