H&M collected 29,005 tonnes of used garments in 2019 though its in-store network of take-back points last year– an increase of 40% from 2018 – reaching its goal of 25,000 tonnes annually a year early.
The retailer also announced that it will no longer source conventional cotton after achieving 97% recycled, or other sustainably sourced, cotton last year.
Moreover, the company revealed that 57% of its materials were either recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way in 2019, thereby taking steps towards its 100% goal for 2030.
H&M Group head of sustainability Anna Gedda said: “This 2020 has started with a challenge we never saw before with the spread of COVID-19 affecting the whole world, companies and societies.
“I am confident that the long-term vision we always had, and will continue having, on sustainability will play an – even more – crucial role in facing these challenges.
H&M also revealed that 900,000 of its supply chain workers benefited from improved wage management systems and more than 1,1 million have been reached by industrial relations and workplace dialogue programmes.
The company joined CDP's prestigious Climate A-list for leading effort against climate change, and started to map and disclose viscose and other man-made cellulosic fibre suppliers.
It also announced that it is launching its Treadler business-to-business service, which offers textile and apparel retailers access to H&M Group's supply chain, enabling other companies to accelerate sustainable social and environmental change.
“I am proud of all the progress we did in 2019. Looking ahead, not only our industry will continue changing rapidly, but also the world as a whole,“ Gedda said.
“It will be more important than ever to continue our journey towards a circular economy and sustainable consumption while creating prosperity through job opportunities.“
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