Source: Sourcing Journal
Summary
The H&M Foundation and non-profit organization, the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA), conducted environmental analyses of three types of recycled materials: mechanically recycled cotton yarn, thermomechanically recycled polyester yarn and chemically recycled polyester chips. The goal was to identify the environmental impact of each material. The analyses were based on data collected from 2018 to 2020.
Our Reading
The trend returns with a new name.
H&M’s foray into sustainable materials echoes the industry’s cyclical approach to eco-friendliness. It’s a familiar story: a major fashion player invests in “green” initiatives, touting innovation, while repackaging old ideas. The focus on recycled materials is a revival of the early 2000s eco-fashion movement. The “new” materials are likely to be used in limited-edition collections, reinforcing the notion that sustainability is a seasonal trend. The H&M Foundation’s efforts are a drop in the ocean, but they’ll likely make a splash in the fashion world.
Author: Evan Null
