Circular Economy and Community Impact: The Case of the Friperie SCRI in Montreal, Canada
Keywords:
Sustainable development, Migration, Social inclusion, Consumption, Resource conservationAbstract
The paper examines the performance of the SCRI Friperie, a thrift store, during the period January-July 2025, exploring how a second-hand retail operation can function as a circular economy model with measurable community impact. Managed by an organization that serves refugees and immigrants in Montreal, the Friperie seeks to align financial sustainability with its social mission. Drawing on a quantitative analysis of sales data and environmental impact projections, the study assesses the key drivers of business performance and proposes strategies to strengthen long-term viability. The findings indicate that external factors, such as promotions, seasonality, inventory availability, and volunteer capacity, account for approximately 41.7 % of sales variability (R² = 0.417). Over the period analyzed, the Friperie is estimated to have avoided up to 32,424 kg of CO₂ emissions by offering a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion. The article concludes that thrift stores operating in migration contexts can advance environmental sustainability while reinforcing social cohesion by providing affordable options and promoting responsible consumption values.
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