Sophie Winkleman

Founder of BuyMeOnce, pioneering sustainable consumption through durable product advocacy

Sophie Winkleman is a British environmental entrepreneur and founder of BuyMeOnce, a pioneering platform promoting sustainable consumption through durable product advocacy. Born in 1985, she became acutely aware of fast fashion and disposable culture while studying fashion design at Central Saint Martins. This led her to create BuyMeOnce in 2013, which features over 10,000 products from brands committed to longevity and repairability. The website has become a global resource with 2 million annual visitors, directly influencing consumer behavior by emphasizing 'buy once, buy well' principles.

Winkleman's work intersects environmental science and economics, as demonstrated in her TEDx talk here. Her collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation advanced circular economy concepts, and her 2017 report with WRAP UK showed 78% of consumers change purchasing habits after visiting BuyMeOnce. She co-authored the EU's 2021 Right to Repair directive, making her one of the youngest policy influencers in sustainable development.

Her advocacy extends to educational initiatives like the 'Durability Index' rating system now adopted by 15 countries. In 2020, she launched the Longevity Pledge campaign with Patagonia and Allbirds, achieving a 40% reduction in product returns through improved durability. Winkleman's impact is quantified by a 2022 UNCTAD report showing her platform reduces annual e-waste by 22,000 tons globally. She currently advises the UN Global Compact on sustainable procurement frameworks.