HM Announces Global Recycling Program for February 2013

Beginning February 2013, customers will be able to exchange used garments for shopping discounts in H&M stores (in all 48 markets worldwide). Sustainability is an important part of H&M’s culture, and with this, the Swedish retailer strives to reduce the environmental impact of clothes throughout their lifecycle.

“Our sustainability efforts are rooted in a dedication to social and environmental responsibility. We want to do good for the environment, which is why we are now offering our customers a convenient solution: to be able to leave their worn out or defective garments with H&M” says Karl-Johan Persson, CEO H&M.

H&M will be the first fashion company to roll out garment collecting in select stores worldwide. Through this global initiative, H&M’s customers can help save natural resources and contribute to reduced environmental impact by avoiding textile waste. Any pieces of clothing, from any brand, and in any condition will be accepted. In return, the customer will receive a voucher for each bag of clothing donated.

Every year, tons of textiles are thrown out with domestic waste, and end up in landfills. Over 95% of these clothes could be used again; re-worn, reused or recycled - depending on the state of the garment. Through its Conscious Foundation, H&M has made it its mission to reduce the environmental impact of garments throughout the lifecycle by closing the loop on textile fiber and supporting social projects along H&M’s value chain. The aim is to find long-term technical solutions to reuse and recycle textile fibers on a larger scale.