Celia Hammond (Curtin, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Textile recycling is a matter close to my heart. One of the benefits of having three sisters—or should I say one of the few benefits of having three sisters—is the shared wardrobe. Indeed, this very jacket I'm wearing today is a hand-me-down from my beautiful mum. With the recent growth in the fast fashion trend and the volume of clothing and landfill increasing all the time, the government has made clothing and textile recycling a priority. That is why I was so excited to meet Bernadette Olivier, a Curtin constituent who, after recognising that the trend towards fast fashion was pushing consumers to constantly purchase the newest item, used her amazing entrepreneurial skills to create an innovative solution for the fashion industry. Her company, The Volte, is a fashion technology website that connects garment owners with potential renters, allowing consumers to loan the newest piece for 25 per cent of the retail price. They are also looking to partner with stores and designers, opening up new opportunities for them to reach new markets. The Volte estimates that every rental offsets two kilograms of textile waste, 19 kilograms of CO2 emissions and 95 litres of water pollution, ensuring that fashion can be sustainable and affordable. Bernadette has been recognised for her tireless innovative work and entrepreneurial zeal, winning WA startup founder of the year in 2018, among other well-deserved accolades.