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Your October circularity round-up. Closing the loop on circular news. ⭕ 1️⃣ The British Fashion Council's Circular Fashion Innovation Network released its Interim Report on how well the UK is transitioning to a circular fashion ecosystem. The report shares critical insights in three key areas: Circular Business Models, Sustainable Manufacturing and Recycling Infrastructure. Read more and download the report: https://lnkd.in/ebVSMSxZ 2️⃣ Spanish textile tech company Jeanologia has partnered with HKRITA - The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited and the H&M Foundation to create a hub focused on sustainability and innovation across the textile value chain. Looking to host over 80 projects, the facility aims to drive circularity and efficiency by uniting brands, manufacturers and suppliers. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e4DjiQHF 3️⃣ German-based textile recycler SOEX and owner of I:Collect, a major facilitator of clothing take-back schemes for brands like H&M and Levi Strauss & Co., has filed for insolvency amid competitive pressure from Asia and market shifts. Quite the blow to circularity in Europe... Read more: https://lnkd.in/eNT_94Pp  4️⃣ But, every cloud has a silver lining: a new textile recycling demo plant has opened in Germany. Reju's "Regeneration Hub Zero," uses IBM's VolCat technology to recycle post-consumer textiles into virgin-quality polyester. Two large-scale facilities are in the works to be ready to operate by 2027. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eYWBCyqt 5️⃣ Ten fashion giants including Primark, Inditex and MANGO have joined forces for a voluntary pilot scheme for textile waste collection in Spain called RE-VISTE. Is this the first of many responses we'll see to the incoming EU regulations? Perhaps. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ecTANAYm 6️⃣ Rental platform By Rotation marked its fifth anniversary in style by opening the world's largest rental pop-up store in Mayfair. The five-story retail space stocks some of the brand's top garments and accessories available to rent.  Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMyenf5M Follow for more on the latest news in circularity and get in touch to learn how Recomme can make circularity work for you. ♻️⭕ #Circularity #CircularBusiness #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion

Can AI help fashion brands and retailers close the loop? ⭕🤖 In the world of fashion innovation, all roads lead to AI—and for good reason. AI is fast becoming a game-changer in the textile and fashion industries, particularly in circularity. At yesterday’s ASBCI (Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry) Autumn conference, our Co-Founder, Simon Platts, joined industry leaders to discuss how AI is reshaping the entire fashion value chain—from design and production to sustainability and consumer engagement. Here's some hot takes on how AI can support fashion circularity: 1️⃣ Enhanced design AI can sift through material databases quicker than you can get dressed in the morning. This allows designers to incorporate sustainable choices early on and reduce waste. 2️⃣ Optimised production AI-driven automation can minimise waste in production by determining the most effective ways to cut fabrics and stitch pieces together. This means fewer off-cuts and less surplus. 3️⃣ Efficient supply chain management Supply chain transparency and traceability require managing vast amounts of data - a job AI handles easily. AI can offer real-time visibility ensuring ethical practices and informed consumers. 4️⃣ Facilitating recycling and repair According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, less than 1% of fibre used to produce garments is recycled into new. AI can optimise sorting to improve the recycling process. It can also assist in identifying and repairing defects in second-hand garments! 5️⃣ Consumer behaviour and circular models Pricing, logistics, and item recommendations for rental, resale and buyback programmes can all be enhanced through AI. Items are kept in circulation for longer, reducing waste and extending garment life cycles. All good stuff. However, just as AI offers incredible opportunities, it also throws up some challenges... AI consumes a HUGE amount of data and energy, potentially offsetting its environmental benefits. It also raises ethical concerns, such as displacing jobs, and the high cost of implementation can be a barrier for smaller brands. At Recomme, we see AI as an inevitable and exciting part of fashion circularity’s future. But it's important to remember that it is just one part of the bigger puzzle. Many solutions to current problems in adding circularity to your business already exist. And we have them at Recomme. Our award-winning platform is a one-stop shop that allows you to build and scale circularity using the latest technology (yes, including AI). If you want to seamlessly add solutions like rental, resale, repair, refurbishment and recycling to your business, get in touch. 📧 #AI #FashionCircularity #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #InnovationInFashion

📣 Fashion brands and retailers: Are you missing out on circularity's untapped potential? In the past three months alone, the fashion industry has changed dramatically. Following new legislation, Oxfam's Second-Hand September and Sustainable Fashion Week, big-name brands like Inditex, H&M, John Lewis & Partners and adidas have launched their own circular initiatives. Add to that, the growing consumer demand for sustainability, and it’s clear: now is not the time to hit snooze on circularity. 💤 👉 Here's just three (of many) ways you can tap into circularity's potential: 1️⃣ Unlock new revenue streams The circular economy could unlock $4.5 trillion in economic opportunities by 2030, according to Accenture. Things like resale and rental are booming in popularity - and for good reason. They're a great way to extend your product value while reducing operational costs. Just look at H&M’s garment recycling program which saw a 40% profit increase in 2023. 2️⃣ Improve brand reputation and customer loyalty Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental and social impacts of fashion. But they still want to participate. Offering rental, resale, take-back programmes and recycling initiatives gives them a chance to do so while aligning with their values. Get on the same page as your customers and they'll stick around. 3️⃣ Future-proof against changing regulations 2024 has already been a big year for sustainability regulations in the fashion industry. In the EU alone we've had the Green Claims Directive, CSRD, ESPR and more come into play. The regulatory landscape is shifting, and quickly. Future-proof your business by adopting circular practices that align with legal and environmental trends now rather than paying the price later. 🚀 The momentum is clear: forward-thinking fashion brands are embracing circularity, consumers are demanding it and regulations are catching up. The question is, will your brand be part of this shift, or risk being left behind...? At Recomme, we help you tap into circularity's potential by seamlessly adding resale, rental, repair, recycling and more to your business whilst creating additional commercial value. 📈 Our award-winning platform is a one-stop shop that allows you to build and scale circularity. 👉 Ready to unlock new revenue streams, improve customer loyalty and stay in line with new regulations? Visit our website and learn how we can make circularity work for you: www.recomme.co #Circularity #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion #CircularEconomy #ESPR #Policy

With new regulation comes new opportunities. 🚀👏 California's new EPR SB707 law aims to combat unnecessary textile waste by making fashion brands responsible for their products' entire life-cycle. That means implementing and funding the likes of reuse, repair and recycling of clothing and textiles to promote a circular economy. At Recomme.co, we see this as a great opportunity for fashion brands to: 👉 Create value via new services 👉 Increase your bottom line  👉 Reimagine products  👉 Reach new audiences If you want to learn more about how we can make circularity work for you, get in touch! #EPR #Legislation #Sustainability #Circularity

Your September circularity round-up. Closing the loop on circular news. ⭕ 1️⃣ Oxfam partnered with Vinted to take to London Fashion Week for #SecondhandSeptember. The 'Style for Change' catwalk featured big names like Frankie Bridge and Deborah Meaden sporting secondhand designer and vintage outfits, curated by Bay Garnett. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eqC7Ee-M 2️⃣ eBay also got in on the catwalk action with its first 'Pre-Loved' Fashion Week in partnership with the British Fashion Council. It simultaneously live-streamed a shoppable 'Endless Runway' with pieces from British designers. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eNPc5y4g 3️⃣ The Good Clothes Show and Sustainable Fashion Week also kicked off this month offering an opportunity for fashion enthusiasts across the country to get involved in the sustainable fashion movement. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e9ceSdGU 4️⃣ There must be something in the air because this month saw so many brands launch circular clothing initiatives - it was hard to keep count! Coachtopia (by Coach) introduced instant resale, powered by EON and in partnership with Poshmark. H&M added a curated selection of 'Pre-Loved' items in 5 European stores with plans to expand to London next month. Inditex announced it will launch its 'Zara Pre-Owned' platform in the US next month before expanding to Europe. AllSaints dipped its toe into the world of rental with 'All Saints Rental', powered by ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions). Primark partnered with Verte to host its first in-store swap shops across the UK during London Fashion Week. And, finally, IKEA launched 'Ikea Preowned' - a secondhand marketplace where customers sell directly to one another. 5️⃣  To help fashion businesses avoid a green claim faux pas, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority has issued a new compliance guide. It has also written to 17 high-profile brands to review their business practices and flag whether some products are misleading. The CMA isn't messing around - new legislation will soon mean the CMA can fine companies up to 10% of their global revenue if they don't abide by the law. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eCCsmd2D It's clear from this snapshot that consumer appetite for sustainable fashion is growing just as laws around greenwashing are tightening. With many brands already embracing circular initiatives, now is not the time to get left behind. Follow for more of the latest news in circularity and get in touch to learn how Recomme can make circularity work for you. ♻️⭕ #Circularity #CircularBusiness #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion #LondonFashionWeek #SustainableFashionWeek

What if turning old school uniforms into new opportunities could set your fashion brand ahead of upcoming sustainability regulations? 🧑🎓 1.4 million uniforms are thrown away every year. Since many uniforms contain high levels of polyester, that equates to around 350 tonnes of plastic. Parents are feeling the pressure, too. With uniform prices climbing year after year, 47% are turning to second-hand options to manage rising costs and reduce environmental impact. Yet, these stopgap solutions don’t address the core issue. And as you know, the landscape is shifting. 🚀 With new ESPR regulations on the horizon, uniform suppliers and retailers must improve the reusability and recycled content of their garments. Imagine if those 1.4 million discarded uniforms were repurposed into new, sustainable garments within a seamless, end-to-end circular system. Sounds like a pipedream, right? 💭 But it's possible. We have the solution. 👇 REPURPOSE is a pioneering collaboration with ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions) and the UK Fashion and Textile Association. As the UK’s first (and only) industry-supported platform, REPURPOSE helps fashion brands and retailers embrace circularity. 👏 Our innovative hub connects fashion brands, retailers and manufacturers with leading repurposing providers, guaranteeing circularity. From dead stock to post-consumer returns, uniforms can be sorted and saved from landfills through: ♻️ Recycling 🧵 Refurbishment ⭕ Reuse The goal? To minimise waste and maximise value - not just for parents and their children, but for your fashion business, too. It's time to graduate from linear models. Get in touch to learn how we can make circularity work for you. 📧 #Circularity #Sustainability #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion #SchoolUniforms #BackToSchool Stats according to a 2022 research and survey of 2000 parents by My Nametags.

Your August circularity round-up. Closing the loop on circular news. ⭕ 1️⃣ Resale is going mainstream. Luxury secondhand online retailer Vestiaire Collective appeared in Netflix's Emily in Paris as part of the retailer's wider strategy to grow in the US market and capitalise on the rising pre-loved fashion trend. Could Emily in Paris do for Vestiaire Collective what Love Island did for eBay in the UK? Quite possibly! Read here: https://lnkd.in/ek7BRRww  2️⃣ John Lewis & Partners doubles down on its circularity efforts with two new partnerships. The Oxford Street store has partnered with thelittleloop to launch a pre-loved children's clothing concession for 0-6-year-olds with prices starting from £5. Shoppers can also trade in clothes for online credit.   The high street giant also launched its first range of pre-loved designer handbags and expanded its secondhand jewellery range in partnership with luxury reseller Sign of the Times. Customers can pick from designers like CHANEL, Christian Dior Couture, Saint Laurent and Gucci. Another sign resale is on the rise. Read here: https://lnkd.in/ehv2yCtW   And here: https://lnkd.in/e5GXfqta   3️⃣ Homeless charity Crisis is collaborating with the UK Fashion and Textile Association to support its Peckham and Elephant & Castle customers with a new recycling scheme - on trial until September. Crisis hopes to educate customers on wearable vs. unwearable items so they can be repurposed or recycled appropriately. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGkh7q48  4️⃣ Primark embraces circularity by partnering with the Circular Textiles Foundation to train its Design and Product teams on advanced circular design principles. According to WRAP, as much as 80% of a product’s impact is determined at the design stage. The training aims to support Primark’s commitment to make more of its clothes recyclable by design by 2027. Read here: https://lnkd.in/etCQ3CJj 5️⃣ Fashion for Good puts its best foot forward with a new circularity initiative to drive footwear circularity. Collaborators include adidas, Inditex, On, Reformation and Zalando. The initiative will expand existing work streams across design, materials, end-of-use and traceability to accelerate diversion from landfills. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e84x5Cx4 Follow for more on the latest news in circularity and how Recomme can make circularity work for you. ♻️⭕ #Circularity #CircularBusiness #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion

Team GB secured 65 Olympic medals, but did they go for gold on circularity? 🥇 At the close of the Olympics, we wonder if Paris reached its ambitious goal of being “the most sustainable Olympics” yet. The circular economy is one of the pillars of its responsible procurement strategy. It chose suppliers based on their redeployment, reuse or, as a last resort, recyclability. All great stuff. But, there’s no mention of the athletes’ (or even the staff and volunteer’s) clothes. 👉 Let’s look at Team GB. 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of adidas partnering with Team GB on their kits. And the 20th anniversary of Ben Sherman dressing the team for both ceremonies. (Controversy on the Hawaiian-style shirts aside 🌸 - iykyk). adidas recently partnered with The Seam to launch its ‘Choose to Repair' pilot programme in the UK and this year committed to replacing virgin polyester with recycled where possible. Despite this, it’s currently listed as “not good enough” on Good On You. Aside from a small organic cotton collection, Ben Sherman has no public sustainability plan or commitments. Good On You lists it as “avoid.” ❌ Team GB is signed up to the United Nations’ Sports for Climate Action Framework - a commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Partnering with brands that use sustainable materials and circularity through repair, resale and recycling would be an easy way to get closer to their net-zero goal. 📈 Circularity - specifically the next stage of life for garments - is also a critical consideration for kits designed for a single event. After all, other teams did it. Team Estonia’s Paris 2024 kit was designed by Reet Aus and is made from 100% upcycled and recycled materials. Each item has a Digital Product Passport to provide full transparency and guidance on repair, reuse, upcycling and recycling. 👏 It’s not just Estonia, Team GB athletes want a slice of sustainability, too. An open letter calling lululemon (kit partners for Team Canada) to transition to renewable energy, phase out oil-based materials and reduce absolute emissions has been signed by three GB athletes. So, what can Team GB do for the LA Olympics in 2028? At Recomme, we predict things will be different. 🔮 From July 2026, fashion businesses within the EU must start complying with the ESPR policy. That means the likes of adidas and Ben Sherman will have to improve their product durability, reusability, upgradability and reparability. They will also need to address their product lifecycle by implementing resale, rental, repair, recycling and more to keep products in circulation to remain compliant. ♻️ Fortunately, our award-winning platform does that seamlessly. We help fashion brands and retailers build and scale circularity without affecting their bottom line. If, like Team GB, you want to go for gold on your circularity, get in touch! 📧 #Circularity #CircularEconomy #Olympics #Sustainability Image: adidas

Fashion businesses, listen up. 📣 It's time for a revolution! 📣 If you’re in the fashion industry, you’re likely striving to meet the challenges of sustainability (ESPR, anyone?), but find the lack of tools to do so increasingly frustrating. What the industry needs is a simple circularity solution. And, we've got one. Say hello to REPURPOSE. 👋 We collaborated with ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions) and the UK Fashion and Textile Association to bring you the UK's first (and only) industry-supported platform, processor and innovation hub of its kind. REPURPOSE is leading the charge towards a more circular fashion industry by revolutionising three things: ♻️ Recycling 🧵 Refurbishment ⭕ Reuse How does it work? Our innovative hub connects fashion brands, retailers and manufacturers with leading repurposing providers, guaranteeing end-to-end closed-loop circularity. From dead stock to post-consumer returns, every item is sorted and given a new lease of life, helping you to: ☝️ Minimise waste ✌️ Maximise value Plus, with the UK Fashion and Textile Association, REPURPOSE acts as the UK centre for pioneering innovations and processors. That means you'll always have access to cutting-edge technologies. 🚀 And, it doesn't end there. By investing in end processors, we're fueling further innovation to drive the industry forward. You heard it here first: REPURPOSE is revolutionary. Ready to join the revolution and make circularity work for you? Get in touch. 📧 #Circularity #Sustainability #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion

Your circularity round-up. Closing the loop on circular news. ⭕ 1️⃣ On the 18th of July the ESPR came into force. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation is a new policy to improve the circularity and environmental sustainability of products sold in the EU market regardless of where they’re manufactured. Businesses will have to start complying by July 2026, which means fashion brands and retailers must look at their product lifecycle sooner rather than later. Wondering how the new policy will affect you? Check out our previous post to learn how Recomme can help - link in the comments. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gVkyJpJx 2️⃣ Ultra-fast fashion giant, SHEIN, had a double whammy with the headlines this month. First up, is its new Circularity Fund: Shein plans to invest 250 million euros in circularity over the next five years. The fund will be invested in start-ups and other businesses in the EU and UK that are driving circular solutions. Next, the “Say No To Shein” petition started by Venetia La Manna and backed by Mary Portas has over 40,000 signatures. The campaign calls on the government to block Shein’s application to be listed on the London Stock Exchange until a thorough investigation has been completed.  Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ej2jxN_a And here:  https://lnkd.in/eQCmEXqP 3️⃣ Could we solve the textile waste problem in just 15 minutes? According to new research, we can! A new chemical recycling method takes 15 minutes to break up synthetic fabrics into reusable molecules. While still in its infancy, the team hope to develop the process further and scale it to treat larger quantities of clothing. Each year, just 1% of discarded clothes are recycled into new materials, so we’re keen to see how this method develops and makes recycling better for fashion brands and retailers. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eZupqrMD     4️⃣ The new Labour government acts on its manifesto promise to adopt circularity by appointing Mary Creagh as the Minister of Nature and responsible for the transition to a circular economy. While it's too early to call how this appointment will pan out, Mary will be one to watch in the coming months. Read more here:  https://lnkd.in/ebgNix9D Follow for more on the latest news in circularity and how Recomme can make circularity work for you. ♻️⭕ #Circularity #CircularBusiness #SustainableFashion #CircularFashion