How Each Brand Wants Their Clothes to Be
Disposed Vs How They Are Being Disposed
1️.H&M – Encourages Recycling
H&M’s Garment Collecting Program: Customers can drop off
unwanted clothes (any brand) at H&M stores for recycling.
What happens?
o Reused: Wearable clothes are resold as second-hand.
o Recycled: Non-wearable items are turned into textile fibres or
cleaning cloths.
o Downcycled: Some materials are used in insulation or padding.
Sustainability Rating: Promotes circular fashion, but actual
recycling rates are unclear.
How H&M Clothes Are Disposed
1. "I don’t know, someone else takes care of it" (23 responses) –
Most consumers are unaware of the final disposal process.
2. Charity/NGO donations (23 responses) – A good number of H&M
clothes are given away, aligning with some sustainability efforts.
3. Thrown in the dustbin (18 responses) – A significant portion of
H&M clothing is simply discarded.
4. Handed down to others (12 responses) – Some users pass on
their clothes instead of disposing.
5. Returned to the brand (9 responses) – A small number participate
in H&M's recycling program.
6. Upcycling (various forms, 10 responses total) – Some
respondents reuse old clothes creatively, such as turning them into
mops or rags.
Why Consumers Stop Using H&M Clothes
1. Wear and tear (31 responses) – The most common reason;
clothing deteriorates with frequent use.
2. Fit issues (16 responses) – Some items no longer fit well.
3. "I get bored of it" (5+ responses) – Fast fashion trends drive quick
turnover.
4. "It will not be trendy" (varied responses) – Many consumers stop
using H&M items because they go out of fashion.
Key Takeaways:
Sustainability practices exist (donations, upcycling, returning
to brand), but participation is low.
Throwing away H&M clothes is common, contradicting their
recycling efforts.
Many consumers stop using H&M clothes not just due to wear
but also due to trends and boredom.
Let’s close the loop by H&M Visit at:
[Link]
[Link]
2. Nike – Encourages Recycling & Upcycling
Nike’s Clothing Recycling Program: Nike encourages customers to
return used Nike apparel for recycling.
Nike Grind for Clothing: Old textiles are processed into new
materials for apparel, accessories, or insulation.
What happens?
o Reused: Some Nike clothing is refurbished and resold.
o Recycled: Non-wearable textiles are shredded and repurposed.
Sustainability Rating: Efforts exist, but large-scale impact and
consumer participation remain unclear.
How Nike Clothes Are Disposed
1. "I don’t know, someone else takes care of it" (8 responses) –
Many consumers are unaware of the final disposal process.
2. Donated to charity/NGO (8 responses) – A significant number of
Nike clothes are donated, showing a more sustainable practice.
3. Thrown in the dustbin (3 responses) – Some Nike clothes are
discarded, though at a lower rate than fast fashion brands.
4. Handed down (2 responses) – Some users pass their Nike clothing
to others.
5. Sold at a second-hand shop (2 responses) – A few consumers
resell their Nike products.
6. Upcycled (1 response) – Very few users repurpose Nike items.
Why Consumers Stop Using Nike Clothes
1. Wear and tear (12 responses) – The primary reason for disposal,
showing that Nike items are used until they deteriorate.
2. Wear and tear + comfort issues (7 responses) – Some
consumers stop using Nike clothing when it no longer fits well.
3. Boredom (2 responses) – A small number of users stop wearing
Nike items simply because they get bored.
4. Not trendy anymore (1 response) – Fashion trends are not a major
factor in Nike disposal.
Key Takeaways
Nike has a higher donation rate compared to fast fashion
brands like H&M.
Awareness of disposal practices is still low—many don’t know
what happens to their Nike clothing.
Nike items are generally worn until they are no longer usable,
rather than being discarded for fashion reasons.
Eliminating Waste by Nike Visit at:
[Link]
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3. Zara – Fast Fashion with Recycling Initiatives
Zara’s Recycling Program: Zara has a Clothing Collection Program
in select stores, allowing customers to drop off used garments for
recycling or donation.
• What happens?
Reused: Some Zara clothing is resold second-hand or
donated.
Recycled: Non-wearable items are repurposed into new
textiles or industrial uses.
Downcycled: Some fabrics are used in padding or
insulation.
Sustainability Rating: Zara promotes circular fashion,
but large-scale participation and actual recycling rates
remain unclear.
How Zara Clothes Are Disposed
1. Donated to charity/NGO (10 responses) – Many consumers
donate Zara clothing, aligning with sustainability efforts.
2. Thrown in the dustbin (9 responses) – A significant portion of
Zara garments are discarded as waste.
3. Handed down (6 responses) – Some consumers pass Zara clothes
to others.
4. Returned to the brand (3 responses) – Few consumers use Zara’s
take-back program.
5. Sold at a second-hand shop (2 responses) – Resale is an
uncommon disposal method for Zara clothing.
6. Upcycled (various forms, 2 responses total) – Some consumers
creatively repurpose Zara garments.
Why Consumers Stop Using Zara Clothes
1. Wear and tear (15 responses) – The most common reason; fast
fashion fabrics deteriorate quickly.
2. Not trendy anymore (8 responses) – Zara’s trend-driven business
model leads to quick wardrobe turnover.
3. Fit issues (4 responses) – Some consumers stop using Zara items
due to improper fit.
4. Boredom (3 responses) – A smaller but notable group stops using
Zara items simply because they lose interest.
Key Takeaways
Zara promotes sustainability through take-back programs, but
participation is low.
Throwing away Zara clothing is common, contradicting the
brand’s recycling efforts.
Many consumers stop using Zara items not just due to wear
but also due to fashion trends and boredom.
Charity donations are high, but only a few consumers engage
in upcycling or second-hand sales.
Clothes Collection Programme by Zara Visit at:
[Link]
Fabindia – Traditional Craftsmanship with
Recycling Initiatives
• Fabindia’s Approach to Sustainability: The brand emphasizes
handcrafted, natural fabrics and supports artisans, but lacks a
structured take-back or recycling program.
• What happens?
Reused: Some Fabindia clothing is handed down or kept for
sentimental reasons.
Recycled: Minimal formal recycling initiatives exist.
Upcycled: A few consumers repurpose Fabindia garments.
• Sustainability Rating: The brand promotes slow fashion, but
there is no official recycling program, leaving disposal practices
largely up to consumers.
Why Consumers Stop Using Fabindia Clothes
Wear and tear (4 responses) – The most common reason for
discontinuing use.
Not trendy, wear and tear, boredom (2 responses) – Fast fashion
trends impact Fabindia consumers too.
Boredom (1 response) – Some users stop using clothes simply
because they lose interest.
Fit issues + wear and tear (1 response) – Clothing durability and
fit influence disposal decisions.
How Fabindia Clothes Are Disposed
Charity/NGO donations (2 responses) – Some consumers prefer
donating their Fabindia clothing.
Thrown in the dustbin (2 responses) – A concerning number of
users discard Fabindia clothing.
Handed down (1 response) – Some consumers pass it on rather
than disposing.
Upcycled (1 response) – Minimal upcycling efforts observed.
Kept as a memory (1 response) – Some users keep items for
sentimental reasons.
Unknown disposal (1 response) – A few users are unsure of the
disposal process.
Key Takeaways
Fabindia clothing is valued for longevity, but formal recycling
options are missing.
Charity donations and handing down garments are common,
but waste generation still exists.
Disposal awareness is limited—some users do not track what
happens to their clothing.
Wear and tear, rather than fashion trends, drive disposal
decisions.
