H&M supports Circular Fibres Initiative
At the Copenhagen Fashion Summit the Ellen MacArthur Foundation launched a new initiative, bringing the industry together with the aim of a new system for textiles which is based on the principles of a circular economy instead of the traditional linear one. H&M is one of the supporters in the initiative.
“Our 100% circular vision and our goal to only use recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030 plays a key role in our sustainability agenda. We are aware that our vision means a big change from on how fashion is made and enjoyed today and if we want to take the lead in this challenge, collaboration and accelerating innovation towards a circular systems together with the industry is crucial. The Circular Fibers Initiative will define a shared vision for a new global textile system and it will be an important foundation for collaboration to accelerate the journey towards a circular textile industry,” says Anna Gedda, Head of Sustainability, H&M Group.
“The way we produce, use, and reprocess clothing today is inherently wasteful, and current rising demand increases the negative impacts. The Circular Fibres Initiative aims to catalyse change across the industry by creating an ambitious, fact-based vision for a new global textiles system, underpinned by circular economy principles, that has economic, environmental, and social benefits, and can operate successfully in the long term,” says Dame Ellen MacArthur, Founder, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Other supporters are Core Philanthropic Funder, the C&A Foundation, Core Corporate Partners and NIKE. A consortium of organisations, including the Danish Fashion Institute, Fashion for Good, Cradle to Cradle, MISTRA Future Fashion and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition also supports the initiative.
Consumers keep their clothing for half the time that they did 15 years ago and after use a majority ends up in landfill. This characteristically linear economy puts high demand on land, energy and other resources. The participants in the Circular Fibres Initiative will work together to address the drawbacks of the ‘take-make-dispose’ model. The new system for textiles will be based on the principles of a circular economy, generating growth that benefits citizens and businesses, while phasing out negative impacts such as waste and pollution – an economy fit for the 21st Century.