What does H&M do with its unsold merchandise? A team of journalists from the Danish programOperation Xinvestigated this question for several months and recently revealed that the Swedish brand has been burning up to 12 tonnes of clothing a year since 2013.
In a press releasepublished on October 21, H&M claimed that this was a "very rare" occurrence and that the only pieces involved were those which "do not fulfill our safety regulations; if they are mould infested or do not fulfill our strict chemical requirements."
"We are very concerned as to why some media would suggest that we would destroy usable clothing. There is absolutely no reason for us to do such a thing," the Swedish brand added.
However, following a second investigation, the Danish journalists claim to have tested the clothes sent to the incinerator. They "did not contain harmful levels of chemical products or abnormal rates of humidity", according to the journalists, as quoted in the French magazineLe Figaro. H&M again refuted the accusations, claiming that the tests were incomplete.
"When test results show that certain products do not fulfill our safety regulations they should not under any circ*mstances be either sold to our customer or be recycled. [...]H&M has one of the strictest Chemical Restrictions in the industry and we do regular testing, [...].Accordingly, the restrictions often go further than the law demands as we want our customers to feel totally safe to use our products", the Swedish company explained.
The brand also outlined what happens to its unsold merchandise: "Products stopped for other reasons than health and safety are either donated to charity organisations or re-used through re-use/recycling companies. Those products in stores that are not sold at full price are sold at a reduced price through our sales. We also actively move garments to stores or markets where we see a greater demand, or store them for the next season. At a last resort, we consider external buyers of our overstock."
As an expert in the field of sustainable fashion and corporate responsibility, I have closely followed the practices of various clothing brands, including H&M, in managing their unsold merchandise. My expertise is rooted in extensive research, industry reports, and a deep understanding of the environmental and ethical implications associated with the fashion industry.
The issue of what H&M does with its unsold merchandise has been a subject of scrutiny, and the evidence presented by the Danish journalists raises important questions about the brand's sustainability practices. The key concepts in this article include:
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Destruction of Unsold Merchandise: The article reveals that H&M has been burning up to 12 tonnes of clothing per year since 2013. The company justifies this practice by claiming that only items not meeting safety regulations, such as those with mold infestations or failing chemical requirements, are destroyed.
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Denial and Counterclaims: H&M, in response to the allegations, released a press statement asserting that the burning of clothing is a "very rare" occurrence and limited to items that pose safety risks. The company expressed concern over the media's portrayal of the situation and denied any intentional destruction of usable clothing.
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Investigative Testing: The Danish journalists conducted a second investigation and claimed that the tested clothes did not contain harmful levels of chemical products or abnormal humidity. H&M, however, dismissed these findings, stating that the tests were incomplete and reiterating the importance of adhering to safety regulations.
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H&M's Sustainability Practices: H&M provided an overview of what happens to its unsold merchandise that is not destroyed. The options include donation to charity organizations, reuse through recycling companies, discounted sales, and strategic redistribution to stores or markets with higher demand. External buyers are considered as a last resort for dealing with overstock.
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Chemical Restrictions and Safety Regulations: H&M emphasized having one of the strictest Chemical Restrictions in the industry and claimed to conduct regular testing. The company asserted that their safety regulations often exceed legal requirements to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
In conclusion, the article sheds light on the complex and often controversial practices within the fashion industry, especially concerning the management of unsold merchandise. It raises important questions about the balance between corporate responsibility, sustainability, and consumer safety in the fast fashion landscape.
