Debrand has introduced a new level of transparency in textile circularity through its inaugural 2025 Transparency Report, offering detailed insights into diversion pathways, material volumes, and the operational realities of next-life logistics.
Released on April 28, 2026, in Vancouver, the report moves beyond traditional aggregate reporting to provide a clear breakdown of how textiles are managed across reuse, recycling, upcycling, and responsible disposal. It highlights the complexities, trade-offs, and infrastructure challenges shaping the current circular economy.
“In an industry as oversimplified and misunderstood as fashion, we believe real progress starts with clarity,” said Amelia Eleiter, CEO and Co-Founder of Debrand. “If we can’t see what’s happening behind the scenes, and be honest about what’s working and what isn’t, we can’t meaningfully move forward. This report is our commitment to opening that black box.”
In FY2025, Debrand processed over 2.4 million pounds of apparel, accessories, and packaging waste, distributing materials across multiple next-life channels in line with the Waste Hierarchy:
- Reuse: 347,440 pounds (13.66%) directed to resale and donation
- Recycling: Over 1.7 million pounds (69.54%), primarily for fibre reclamation
- Advanced Recycling: 27,107 pounds (1.06%) allocated to textile-to-textile pilot projects
- Remanufacturing (Upcycling): 25,269 pounds (0.99%)
- Responsible Disposal: Approximately 415,000 pounds (16.32%) through waste-to-energy solutions
Rather than presenting data in isolation, the report provides context, revealing that while progress is being made, limitations in design, infrastructure, and market maturity continue to restrict true circularity.
A key objective of the report is to redefine transparency standards in the textile sector. Unlike conventional reporting methods that focus on total diversion rates, Debrand provides a detailed breakdown by end-use channel, offering deeper insights into material flows and industry gaps.
The findings emphasize that recycling alone is not sufficient. High-value reuse remains underutilized, advanced recycling technologies are still developing, and certain textile categories lack viable end-of-life solutions. By combining data with operational insights, Debrand positions transparency as a tool for industry-wide improvement rather than marketing.
The report also underscores the importance of collaboration. Debrand partners with leading brands and innovators such as lululemon and Samsara Eco to pilot new solutions, scale circular systems, and generate actionable data. These partnerships span resale initiatives, recycling trials, and material innovation programs.
“The intent of this report is not perfection, it’s progress,” Eleiter added. “We hope it serves as a starting point for more open dialogue across the industry. The more visibility we create together, the faster we can identify solutions and scale what works.”
Debrand plans to release updated versions of the report annually, with a focus on improving traceability, enhancing data accuracy, and expanding visibility as circular infrastructure continues to evolve.