SHIRCLE closet: Community Closet + Workshop (Repair & Upcycling)

Fashion overproduction litters our planet with mountains of textile waste. In the city of Zurich alone, around 2,000 tonnes of textiles are disposed of every year. Existing sustainable alternatives can't compete with the simple, cheap shopping experience of fast fashion. We believe that Zurich residents would borrow, share and buy used more often (and accordingly buy less disposables) if circular shopping were as easy, attractive and cheap as fast fashion. SHIRCLE offers this unique community sharing infrastructure, which combines Walk-in Community Closet, Fashion Library and Flohmi. Something special for an occasion without paying the new price for it? Not sure what to do with the bad purchases in the closet? Enough of the throwaway economy? Welcome to SHIRCLE. The principle is very simple: BRING what you don't need anymore (sell or just share). RENT quality pieces for the price of a coffee. BUY what brings you joy (try on / borrow first, then buy). All simplified by self-check-in, self-checkout and the SHIRCLE app. // Our mission is to show that affordable pre-loved quality goods can stand up to cheap new goods and that community circular economy can be easy on the planet and wallet. We want to make it attractive, easy and fun to shop in a circular way! What do a library and SHIRCLE have in common? You can borrow from both for free. Each rented item saves an average of 15 kg of CO₂ compared to a new purchase. In addition to members sharing, borrowing and buying, donors can also follow this impact in the SHIRCLE app, safe in the knowledge that donated pieces stay local instead of ending up abroad or in the ocean. SHIRCLE has already tested the rental model in Meilen and at the Josy Circulation Centre and learned what is crucial: enough space for a wide range of styles, colours and sizes, a central location with good public transport connections, and the possibility to search for items in detail online. For the pilot quarter location, we are looking for a suitable space of 150–250 m² in a good location. At the same time, we will continue to develop the SHIRCLE app: In the future, members will not only be able to search for specific locations, but also have individual 'looks' suggested, directly tailored to the currently available items. Fast fashion has proven that when shopping is easy, cheap and attractive, everyone does it. SHIRCLE wants to prove the same for circular shopping, but only with a permanent location. Josy and, from June 2026, Wilder Mann are valuable learning spaces, but both temporary. A location in the net-zero pilot district would be SHIRCLE's first permanent location in Zurich and would be more than just a store: proof that bring-borrow-buy circular shopping can be the new normal. With pre-loved quality goods that stand up to cheap new goods, and a community that shows: The best in the closet doesn't have to be new, or bought at all. And best of all, the pilot quarter location will include a community space for repair, upcycling and creativity. Weekly peer-to-peer skill-sharing workshops, upcycling challenges and monthly community events bring the neighbourhood together around creativity and the circular economy. Free delivery and pick-up pole and upcycling box: Take it. Mach. Go. With tools, space and permission to just try it. _________ Today's fashion trends are tomorrow's textile trash. In Züri alone, around 2,000 tonnes of textiles are thrown away every year. Sustainable alternatives are time-consuming, inconvenient or too expensive to compete with the ease and low prices of fast fashion. We believe Züri residents would borrow, share and buy secondhand far more often (and buy far less disposable stuff) if circular shopping were high-quality, affordable and easy. SHIRCLE created a circular sharing infrastructure to do exactly that, combining a walk-in community closet, fashion library, and flea market. Need something for a big event but don't want to spend a lot of money? Not sure what to do with those unreturnable purchases? Tired of the disposable economy? Welcome to SHIRCLE. The idea is simple: BRING what you no longer wear (sell it or just share it). BORROW quality pieces for the price of a coffee. BUY what you love (try it on or borrow it first, then decide). All simplified through self check-in, self-checkout and the SHIRCLE App. // Our mission is to show that affordable, quality pre-loved items can go head-to-head with cheap new goods and that a circular community is good for both planet and wallet. We want to make circular shopping the obvious and appealing choice. What do a library and SHIRCLE have in common? You can borrow from both for free. Every borrowed item saves an average of 15kg of CO₂ compared to buying new. In addition to members who share, borrow and buy, donors can also track this impact via the SHIRCLE App, with the certainty that donated items stay local rather than being exported abroad or piling up on a beach. SHIRCLE has already tested the borrowing model in Meilen and at Kreislaufzentrum Josy – and learned what matters most: enough space for a broad range of styles, colours and sizes, a central location easily accessible by public transport, and the ability to search for items in detail online. For the Pilotquartier, we are looking for a suitable space of 150–250m² in an easily accessible location. In parallel, we plan on updating the SHIRCLE App: Members will be able to search by location and receive individual 'look' suggestions based on what is actually available in-store, making it as easy to find the right item as it is to borrow it. // Fast fashion proved it: When shopping is easy, affordable and appealing, everyone does it. SHIRCLE aims to prove the same can be true for circular shopping but needs a permanent location to do so. Josy and, from June 2026, Wilder Mann are invaluable learning spaces, but both are temporary. A location in the Netto-Null Pilotquartier would be SHIRCLE's first permanent home in Züri and would be more than just a shop: It would be proof that Bring-Borrow-Buy circular shopping can be the new normal. With quality pre-loved pieces that go head-to-head with cheap new goods, and a community that shows the best thing in your wardrobe doesn't have to be new, or even purchased. And the best part: The Pilotquartier location will include a dedicated community space for repair, upcycling and creativity. Weekly peer-to-peer skill-sharing workshops, upcycling challenges, and monthly community events bring the neighbourhood together around creativity and circularity. Free swapping rack and upcycling box: Take. Make. Create. With tools, space and permission to try.

shircle.ch // https://shircle.ch/pilotquartier // shircle@josy: https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/site/kreislaufwirtschaft/de/temporaeres-angebot-kreislaufwirtschaft/shircle.html

We are a company (e.g. start-up, SME)

SHIRCLE und silden ag

I/we implement the idea independently

150 to 250 m² in the pilot quarter. Bright, inviting, boutique atmosphere. A community area with tools for creative upcycling and repair. Good location: circular lending shopping as everyday life, not as a detour. 150 to 250 m² in the Pilotquartier. Bright, welcoming, boutique feel with a community space and tools for creative upcycling and repair. Centrally located to make circular shopping an easy habit.