MANILA, Philippines—H&M Group shines a spotlight on their remarkable efforts to lead the fashion industry toward a more sustainable future. At the forefront of this movement is the Let’s Close the Loop event, a groundbreaking initiative launched in collaboration with Women Create, Waves For Water, Basically Borrowed, the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, and Gobi Partners.
With a commitment to sustainable fashion and resource reutilization, H&M is charting a transformative path for the industry, emphasizing the vital importance of reducing waste and fostering a circular economy in fashion.
Image Courtesy of H&M.
Images Courtesy of H&M.
On April 21, 2023, a transformative event known as “Let’s Close the Loop” took center stage at Greenbelt, Makati, marking a pivotal moment in the fashion industry’s journey toward sustainability. Hosted and moderated by renowned Diplomacy and lifestyle Journalist Carol Malasig, a contributing writer for both Manila Bulletin and Vogue Philippines, this gathering brought together an illustrious panel of experts and change-makers.
Image Courtesy of H&M.
The panelists included Jenica Dizon, who serves as the Country Director at Waves for Water Philippines, bringing valuable insights into water-related sustainability initiatives. Carlo Chen-Delantar, Head of ESG and Circular at Gobi Partners, and a Circular Economy Pioneer affiliated with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, brought his expertise on circular economic models and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Jessie Jiang, the innovative Founder of Basically Borrowed, shared her experiences and insights into the world of sustainable fashion. Marika Callangan, an accomplished Collage Artist also known as Woman Create, contributed her creative perspective to the panel’s discussions. Lastly, Frankie Shadbolt, H&M Philippines’ Country Sales Manager, represented a global fashion brand committed to sustainability, offering a unique perspective from within the fashion industry itself.
Image Courtesy of H&M.
Image Courtesy of H&M.
Sustainable Consumption and Reuse of Materials
The heart of the event was a dynamic panel discussion that delved into essential points under this topic. In a world where sustainable solutions are gaining momentum across the value chain, the discussion centered on the importance of sustainable consumption. The evolving role of retail as more than just a product outlet, but a space for engagement, trust-building, and hope, was also explored. This discussion emphasized the significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the need to strike a balance among key players – Influencers, Corporations, and Government – in driving sustainable change.
“Humans thrive together” was a recurring theme, underlining the imperative for collaborative efforts on local, cross-disciplinary, and global levels, as heightened by the pandemic. “Let’s Close the Loop” was not merely an event but a catalyst for sustainable change in the fashion industry, as it sought to shape a future where style and sustainability harmoniously coexist.
Woman Create x H&M
Image Courtesy of H&M.
Marika Callangan, also known as Woman Create, is a Manila-based collage artist and maker. Her artistic practice delves into compelling themes of identity, transformation, and feminism, channeling these concepts to craft diverse and resonant narratives that place women and their empowerment at the forefront. Woman Create’s design aesthetic is notably focused on circularity, employing a circular movement to depict the cutting of fabrics, allowing viewers to discern various types of materials in circulation.
Moreover, ten percent (10%) of the proceeds generated from her work are dedicated to supporting and fostering the arts within the female community. This philanthropic commitment also extends to advocating women’s rights and empowerment, further amplifying the impact of her artistic endeavors.
The Woman Create × H&M tote bags are available at a price of PHP 399 and are set to be officially launched in select H&M stores starting on April 21st.
Waves for Water x H&M
Images Courtesy of H&M.
In its inaugural year, the ‘Let’s Reuse’ project, launched in September 2020, introduced a transformative initiative in the fashion retail industry, encouraging customers to embrace sustainability by bringing their own reusable bags when shopping at H&M stores in the Philippines. This enduring program entails a nominal charge of PHP 2.00 for every paper bag, irrespective of size. The entirety of these proceeds is dedicated to supporting our partner, Waves for Water Philippines (W4W), renowned for their commitment to providing clean water solutions to off-grid communities in the Philippines.
Through education and the installation of water filtration systems and rainwater catchment tanks, W4W empowers these communities. In a poignant display of this collaboration’s impact, in November 2021, W4W and H&M ventured to Bohol, extending vital support and engaging with local communities. The funds generated from the ‘Let’s Reuse’ project played a crucial role in providing essential water filtration systems and rainwater catchment tanks that offered critical assistance during the aftermath of Typhoon Ulysses, exemplifying the project’s meaningful contributions to both sustainability and disaster relief.
H&M’s Garment Collecting Program
Image Courtesy of H&M.
Since 2013, H&M’s Garment Collecting program has been a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainability, with recycling boxes conveniently placed in our stores worldwide. Here’s how it works:
- Bring Unwanted Clothes or Textiles: You can bring any unwanted clothing or textiles, regardless of the brand or condition, to one of our stores.
- Hand in Your Bag at the Cash Desk: Simply hand in your bag of old clothes at the cash desk, and as a token of appreciation, receive a thank-you voucher to use toward your next purchase.
- Effective Sorting by Our Partner: Once your previously cherished fashion items are deposited in our garment-collecting boxes, our trusted business partner takes over, carefully sorting the contents into three distinct categories:
- Re-wear: Wearable garments are marketed as second-hand clothing.
- Reuse: Items not suitable for re-wear are creatively repurposed into various products, such as remake collections or cleaning cloths.
- Recycle: All other clothes and textiles are transformed into textile fibers, contributing to the creation of materials like insulation products.
Moreover, factors like your laundry habits and whether you dispose of clothes in the trash instead of recycling them significantly influence this impact. Therefore, how you manage and care for your garments truly matters. Discover how to extend the lifespan of your clothing with H&M’s Take Care concept, now accessible through all H&M’s online stores.