In a groundbreaking development aimed at tackling textile waste and promoting circularity in the fashion industry, Amsterdam-based organization Fashion for Good has announced an expanded collaboration for its Sorting for Circularity USA project. The project, launched in January of this year, has now welcomed lululemon as its seventh external brand partner, showcasing the growing commitment to sustainability within the fashion sector.
Joining forces with new implementation partners including Helpsy, United Southern Waste Material, and Goodwill Industries, the project has also gained adidas as its lead sponsor, further emphasizing the industry’s dedication to transformative change.
The core objective of the project is to conduct an extensive consumer survey to trace the journey of garments from wardrobes to end of use, shedding light on the textile waste generated across the United States. Over the course of 18 months, the project aims to gather valuable insights that will help scale up collection, sorting, and recycling innovations. This data will also inform decision-making processes regarding necessary investments and actions to drive sustainable practices.
Within its first six months, the Sorting for Circularity project has already expanded its reach to cover six key states: California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas. The addition of implementation partners will support the analysis of fiber composition data, further strengthening the project’s ability to make informed decisions and recommendations.
The collaboration of major players in the fashion industry, including lululemon, Eastman, H&M, and Nordstrom, alongside corporate partners adidas, Inditex, Levi Strauss, and Target, underscores the importance of pre-competitive collaboration in addressing the industry’s most pressing challenges. By working together, these companies are aiming to accelerate the transition towards a more circular and sustainable industry.
Katrin Ley, Managing Director of Fashion for Good, expressed her excitement about expanding the geographical scope of the Sorting for Circularity framework. She emphasized that this expansion would offer a better understanding of the global textile waste challenge, unlock the potential of textile recycling technologies, and ultimately facilitate the industry’s shift towards circularity.
The urgency to address textile waste in the United States is underscored by the fact that it is the fastest-growing segment of the country’s waste stream, with a staggering 85% of discarded textiles ending up in landfills. Understanding the composition, volume, and location of used textiles is critical in capturing them and sorting them for the most suitable and high-quality end uses. The inclusion of diverse national and regional geographies within the Sorting for Circularity project series will enable nuanced cross-country comparisons, shedding light on variations in textile waste generation and the infrastructure required to manage it effectively.
The expansion of Fashion for Good’s Sorting for Circularity USA project, with lululemon as the latest partner, signals a significant step forward in the fashion industry’s pursuit of sustainable and circular practices. By pooling resources and knowledge, these leading brands are setting a powerful example, demonstrating that collaboration is key to addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by the industry.