H&M is one of the world’s largest clothing retailers, with over 4,700 stores in 74 countries. The company has been criticized in the past for its fast fashion business model, which relies on producing and selling large quantities of clothing at low prices. However, in recent years, H&M has made significant strides in its sustainability efforts.
In 2013, H&M set a goal of becoming 100% sustainable by 2030. This ambitious goal includes a commitment to using only recycled or other sustainable materials in its products, reducing its environmental impact throughout its supply chain, and creating a circular fashion system where clothes can be reused and recycled indefinitely.
H&M has made progress on all of these fronts. In 2020, the company used 65% recycled or other sustainable materials in its products, and it has set a goal of increasing this to 100% by 2030. H&M has also reduced its water usage by 43% and its energy usage by 35% since 2010.
In addition to using sustainable materials, H&M is also working to reduce waste in its supply chain. The company has a number of initiatives in place to collect and recycle used clothing, and it is also working to develop new technologies that can turn old clothes into new materials.
H&M is also committed to creating a circular fashion system. In 2019, the company launched its garment collecting program, which allows customers to return used clothes to any H&M store in the world. The clothes are then sorted and either reused, recycled, or downcycled.
H&M is also a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action. The charter is a commitment by fashion brands to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. H&M is on track to meet this goal, and it has set a more ambitious target of becoming climate positive by 2040.
H&M’s sustainability journey is not without its challenges. The company faces competition from other fast fashion retailers that are not as committed to sustainability. H&M also faces challenges in developing new technologies and business models that can help to create a truly circular fashion system.
However, H&M is committed to making progress on its sustainability goals. The company believes that it has a responsibility to lead the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. By continuing to invest in innovation and collaboration, H&M is well-positioned to achieve its sustainability goals and help to create a more sustainable fashion industry for everyone.
In addition to the initiatives mentioned above, H&M is also working on a number of other sustainability projects. For example, the company is developing a new line of clothing made from recycled plastic bottles. H&M is also working to improve the working conditions in its supply chain.
H&M’s Conscious Collection is a line of clothing made from sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel™. The collection aims to reduce the environmental impact of the fashion industry by using less water, energy, and chemicals in the production process. H&M also partners with organizations working to improve the lives of farmers and workers in the textile industry.
Specific examples of how H&M is making its Conscious Collection more sustainable:
- Using organic cotton, which requires less water and pesticides to grow than conventional cotton.
- Recycling polyester from used bottles and other plastic waste.
- Using Tencel™, a fabric made from wood pulp that is processed using a closed-loop system that minimizes waste.
- Partnering with organizations like the Fairtrade Foundation and the Better Cotton Initiative to improve the working conditions of farmers and workers in the textile industry.
H&M’s Conscious Collection is a step in the right direction for the fashion industry, but there is still more work to be done. By continuing to develop sustainable materials and production processes, H&M can help to make fashion more environmentally friendly. H&M’s sustainability journey is a work in progress, but the company is making significant progress. H&M is committed to becoming a more sustainable company, and it is taking concrete steps to achieve its goals. By continuing to invest in innovation and collaboration, H&M is well-positioned to lead the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future.
