Lancaster University students are making a difference for a major charity.

Master’s students teamed up with the British Red Cross to help them understand and improve their environmental impact.

Members of the MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management programme worked under the guidance of Professor Andreas Schroeder, focusing on the Red Cross’s charity retail operations. They measured carbon emissions from different parts of the charity retail operations – which encompasses 300 stores nationwide – and looked for ways to reduce it.

The Red Cross's charity retail section deals primarily with second-hand clothes. These items can offer significant carbon savings by extending the lifespan of garments that might otherwise end up in landfills.

Reusing and reselling clothing helps lower the demand for new textile production – a sector known for high water consumption, chemical processing, and greenhouse gas emissions. However, without a measurement framework, the sustainability benefits risk being overlooked.

The Lancaster students examined the Red Cross’s carbon footprint (Scopes 1 & 2), identifying areas where they perform well. The focus was also on more indirect Scope 3 emissions, demonstrating how second-hand clothing reduces these emissions.

Jianeng Ye, one of the MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management students, said: “Figuring out Scope 3 was tricky. We developed a way to measure avoided emissions. We also checked data quality to ensure our findings are reliable.”

One surprising discovery was the environmental benefit of the Red Cross’s second-hand clothing sales, showing how giving clothes a second life helps reduce the need for new production and cuts waste throughout the supply chain.

Student Kathy Ngo added: "Quantifying these avoided emissions was really rewarding. It proves that the Red Cross's second-hand sales are making a big environmental difference and helps them tell a stronger story about their impact.”

Based on their research, the students provided strategic recommendations to the Red Cross. These included how to best adopt international standards and setting science-based targets (SBTi). These steps can help the charity improve data collection, be more transparent, and meet increasing public and donor demand for sustainability.

Avani Deshpande, one of the team members from Lancaster, said: “Our recommendations offer a clear path forward, helping the Red Cross lead by example in sustainability. It’s about making smarter decisions and sharing their story.”

A British Red Cross representative added: "The insights and tools from Lancaster University are invaluable. This project has given us a better understanding of our environmental impact and a strategic plan to improve.”

Professor Schroeder said: “This collaboration highlights Lancaster University's dedication to real-world impact through research. It’s a win for sustainability and shows how Lancaster students contribute to meaningful change.”

Learn more about Lancaster University Management School’s sustainability research and engagement here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lums/research/sustainability/