Garment Collecting

In 2013, H&M became the first fashion company to launch a global garment collecting initiative, marking a significant step towards fostering circularity in the fashion industry. The initiative ties into our ambition to enable customers to be part of this circularity journey, by extending the lifecycle of valuable textiles and reducing waste through recycling and repurposing.

In South Africa, H&M proudly collaborates with local social enterprise, Clothes to Good, to conduct our garment collecting programme. This unique partnership serves a dual purpose: addressing the impact of poverty, particularly on mothers of children with disabilities, and contributing to environmental well-being through textile recycling.

Join the movement today and be part of a more sustainable fashion future!

Here is how:

Simply bring your bag of unwanted textiles, regardless of brand or condition, to our designated garment collecting boxes within all H&M stores. As a token of appreciation, you'll receive a 15%-off 'thank you' voucher to apply towards the next H&M item you purchase in store.

The donated fashion and textiles are collected from H&M’s distribution centre and sorted by Clothes to Good into 3 distinct categories:

1. Re-wear: Gently worn garments find new life through Clothes to Good's Micro-business Programme, supporting women in low-income communities to earn a living through the sale of pre-loved fashion.

2. Re-use: Textiles that are no longer suitable for wearing are repurposed into various products, such as inclusive educational tools and toys for under-resourced Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres.

3. Recycle: Textiles unfit for re-use are repurposed into fibres for use in the automotive, bed matress and building industries.

Since 2019, H&M South Africa and Clothes to Good have successfully collected over 1 million kg of pre-loved textiles through the initiative, which has assisted in transforming lives and livelihoods in communities in need. At H&M we’re committed to leading the change towards achieving net zero, and using our size and scale to lead the way in creating a better fashion industry that operates within planetary boundaries and creates genuine value for people. Together, we can usher in positive change and shape a better future for the industry.

Witness H&M’s collaboration with Clothes to Good in action HERE.

Have questions about H&M’s garment collecting initiative? Submit them to info.za@hm.com

For more information on Clothes to Good please visit their website HERE.