Latest news with #circularity
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Farm Rio Introduces Resale Option, Adding To Brand's B-Corp Goals
Farm Rio's new Closet-to-Closet resale program. A significant tenet of B Corp status revolves around circularity. Many fashion brands have recently added services or platforms that allow customers to trade in clothing, typically in exchange for credit towards future purchases. The practice is so ubiquitous that it has spread to other consumer product categories; to wit, eco-friendly and development-oriented children's toy company, Lovevery, just introduced a resale marketplace for its products. Brazilian sustainable-minded brand Farm Rio, which has touted sustainable practices since day one via a tree-planting program, is adding to its circularity efforts with the launch of its 'Closet-to-Closet' program in conjunction with market-tested resale platforms, ThredUp and Poshmark. While both will operate differently, each speaks to the second-hand clothing market mindset that offers new consumers the opportunity to own a piece of the brand at a lower cost and allows current customers to avoid past purchases ending up in a landfill. It also adds to funds spent on future purchases. In today's shopping climate, it also speaks to Poshmark, known for its democratic brand assortment, allows customers to avoid the tedious step of photographing and uploading sale items manually on its site by directly syncing with the Farm Rio website which pulls an image of the item based on the customers purchase history—thus highlighting the tech scope of online shopping logged into an account versus guest checkout. Once the item posting is created automatically, the seller approves the listing before going live. Once a piece is sold, proceeds go straight to the seller in the form of cash. ThredUp works slightly differently and may appeal to those looking to free closet space immediately. Farm Rio customers receive a prepaid shipping label to ship eligible Farm Rio clothing, accessories, or shoes to ThredUp. Customers choosing this receive a Farm Rio gift card for a shopping credit to be used on something new. According to brand spokesperson and marketing specialist Camilla Pinto, the timing of the initiative spoke more to a vibe. "Circularity has always been part of our ethos, and Closet to Closet is a natural evolution of that commitment. With resale becoming a more mainstream and meaningful way to reduce fashion waste, now felt like the right time to join the movement and invite our community to extend the joy of Farm Rio pieces," she noted. Farm Rio's new Closet-to-Closet resale program. It's also an interesting time to feed the US resale market, which some industry voices believe will strengthen in demand in light of ongoing trade wars due to tariffs. Goods resold within the US are not subject to the import taxes regardless of the primary origin. And resale culture has permeated the US shopping landscape. "The U.S. has a strong resale culture and an enthusiastic Farm Rio community, so it made sense to launch Closet to Closet here first as the starting point to build momentum before expanding globally," Pinto said. Like many brand retailers, working with a third-party for an arm of the business that doesn't typically exist in its business model. Poshmark and ThredUp are popular platforms that offer intuitive, accessible experiences. "Rather than building resale into our own channels, partnering with platforms our customers already know and trust allowed us to launch quickly and at scale, while keeping the process simple and seamless," she continued, noting it requires constant oversight. "There are varied experiences with third-party platforms, so we will have ongoing dialogue with our partners to ensure the program feels positive and rewarding. Our goal is to make circularity easy to engage with, and we're listening closely so we can continue to improve the customer journey," she added. The initiative follows the release of the brand's fifth sustainability report in 2024, which highlights its achievements in ESG. It's fair to note the colorful-print brand, whose 1997 founding ethos in Rio de Janeiro included planting trees each step of the way, was ahead of the curve in terms of fashion giving back in some way what it takes from Rio's new Closet-to-Closet resale program. The report highlights that to date, the Certified B-Corp company has donated 1,500,000 trees and reforested nine million square meters. It's invested 1.9 million Real dollars in wildlife and can quantify 18,759.23 tons of CO2e compensated. Farm Rio also works with the Brazilian indigenous Yawananwa peoples from the Amazon, thus helping communities become self-sustaining. Circularity efforts include the use of responsible fabrics, donating 5.98 tons of fabrics to garment collectives, and recycling efforts globally amount to over 73,000 tons of materials remaining out of landfills. The brand also held its first-ever sample sale with four editions globally that kept 22,770 pieces circular. 'Closet-to-Closet' will surely add to that figure on the brand's next report, as Pinto noted. "We're continuing to explore new ways to grow our circularity efforts—both through retail and beyond."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Accelerating Circularity Tracks Commercially Available Circular Materials
Accelerating Circularity has dropped its inaugural textile-to-textile Lookbook: a curated, 62-page showcase of tangible, commercially available circular materials. Informed by the circular supply chain nonprofit's completed trials in the United States and European Union, the lookbook confirms that the concept of circularity has a tangible, commercially-viable reality. More from Sourcing Journal What Textile-to-Textile Recyclers Want From EU Legislation Circularity's Tipping Point? Trust, BSI Found Zalando Drops First Collection with Circ Lyocell 'This 'lookbook' is a visual testament to what's now possible,' Karla Magruder, founder and president of Accelerating Circularity, said. 'These fabrics represent years of collaboration, data and dedication—and we're just getting started.' For context, Accelerating Circularity launched two series of systems trials in 2021, with one in the United States and the other in Europe. Those trials brought together 74 participants across the value chain to address the gaps in circular textiles and to develop supply chains for cotton and polyester textile waste at a commercial scale. Some 72 metric tons of post-industrial and post-consumer feedstock produced later—plus a Target collaboration—the physical results of the trial are detailed within the lookbook. Focused on building textile-to-textile recycling systems at a commercial scale, Accelerating Circularity's lookbook features textiles made with around 40 percent recycled fibers—an even split of post-consumer and post-industrial—sourced from the likes of mechanical recycler Giotex, sorter Bank & Vogue, and UK-based regulatory body Recyclatex, among others. The remaining 60 percent are first-generation (aka virgin) materials. All of the materials meet 'critical industry performance benchmarks,' the action-oriented nonprofit said. Those benchmarks include various European Standards (EN) developed by the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN), efforts out of ASTM International, the developer of international voluntary consensus standards, and several of the International Organization for Standardization's ISO series, among others. Considering these formerly futuristic innovations are now real, ready-to-integrate materials for today's product pipelines, Accelerating Circularity is calling on sourcing directors and sustainability executives alike to collaborate 'where the next chapter in circular systems begins.' That includes exploring the circular materials ready for commercial adoption—such as offerings from Portuguese mills RDD Textiles and A. Sampaio & Filhos or Mexico-based spinners like Parkdale and Giotex—as well as joining collaborative trials to develop the next round of scalable, next-gen solutions. Accelerating Circularity's lookbook comprised fabrics from spinners and mills such as South Carolina's Clover Knits, Mexico's Cone Denim and Portugal's Polopique. German-headquartered testing center Bureau Veritas, for example, explored 11 different methods on one knit jersey fabric from Clover, testing for metrics like against fiber analysis and fabric weight as well as piling resistance and bursting strength, among others. Italy's MagnoLab sweatshirt-quality fabric, meanwhile, was sorted by Bulgaria's Texcycle and recycled by Finland's Pure Waste. Bureau Veritas applied nine methods to test for color fastness and dimension stability to laundering as well as twisting and spirality after laundering. True to its collaborative, stakeholder-led approach, Accelerating Circularity is also asking for industry support through contributions to its Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to divert 325 tons of textile waste from landfill and incineration. 'The move to sustainable practices is the only way forward,' the lookbook said. 'The textile industry must become circular to eliminate discarded materials and reduce the need for virgin raw materials—' because textiles are too good to waste'.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Circularity's Tipping Point? Trust, BSI Found
Perception versus reality is a tale as old as time: consumers say one thing and their wallets say another. The British Standards Institution (BSI) 's latest survey data all but confirmed the aphorism, as the business improvement and standards firm found consumer expectations concerning sustainability increasingly at odds with willingness to pay for those expectations. More from Sourcing Journal Accelerating Circularity Tracks Commercially Available Circular Materials H&M Group Inks Deal With Circulose to Scale Circular Cellulose Iskur Denim Joins Denim Deal BSI's 2025 Global Circularity study, 'The Tipping Point: Building Trust in the Circularity Economy,' was developed in partnership with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)— an impact-led institute within the university that leverages its corporate network to drive circular engagement and action—and identifies how building trust in quality and reliability can drive consumer uptake of circular behaviors. 'The circular economy presents an immense opportunity for both people and the planet, enabling us to protect natural resources and reap economic benefits,' Susan Taylor Martin, BSI's chief executive, said. 'Yet trust remains a crucial barrier to adoption.' Fueled by lack of trust, fears about the hygiene and quality of reused or repaired products are holding back global efforts to move to a circular economy and minimize the impacts of consumption on the planet, the UK government-appointed body found. That's because building trust is rather complex, involving 'multiple dimensions and numerous actors,' the report reads. For example, consider the consumer who is thinking about leasing a solar panel. That consumer needs to not only trust the supplier but the technology itself and, potentially, that the government will 'maintain consistent supportive policies.' 'Therefore, building trust demands a holistic strategy that identifies and addresses potential confidence gaps across the entire network, encompassing regulators, suppliers, technology performance, data security and partners throughout the value chain,' per the report. 'A breakdown in trust at any single point can potentially undermine everything.' The research also isolated consumer concerns about safety and reliability as 'critical barriers' to the adoption of circular practices amongst consumers, despite widespread awareness of the eco-gains of keeping (rather than discarding) products after use. Despite more than three-quarters of respondents (76 percent) understanding this—that their behaviors and purchasing decisions contribute to circularity—the share of reused materials entering the global economy dropped from 7.2 percent to 6.9 percent in recent years, according to the Circle Economy's Circularity Gap Report. 'While consumers routinely weigh price and quality in their purchasing decisions, reused, repaired or recycled goods introduce new questions around quality, safety and reliability,' Martin said. 'For circularity to thrive, businesses must move beyond sustainability messaging and bolster it by demonstrating genuine value, durability and trustworthiness—convincing consumers that circular options are as reliable as traditional products.' Three critical concerns 'fuel the gulf' between perception and reality: an absence of trust in quality (56 percent), safety (51 percent) and reliability (49 percent). According to the business improvement and standards company, overcoming these trust barriers is essential to disrupting the ingrained inertia of linear consumption: buy new, use briefly, discard easily. 'We need circular products and services with quality, safety and reliability fully embedded and organizations that act decisively to introduce these solutions will facilitate an economic transformation whilst unlocking a wealth of opportunities,' Lindsay Hooper, CEO of the University of Cambridge's Institute for Sustainability Leadership, said. 'Our report provides essential guidance for driving meaningful change, outlining the conditions necessary for accelerating adoption and catalyzing tipping points, [to] offer a strategic blueprint for organizations ready to lead.' The research asked respondents to rate themselves along a scale of adoption for 10 circular behaviors—including recycling, reusing packaging or purchasing secondhand goods—with more than half (53 percent) identifying as early adopters or early majority. Lack of trust in environmental claims was a barrier to purchasing circular products for one in three respondents, while 59 percent said a recognized label to support claims would build confidence. 'There is a role here for transparent, credible certification to provide people with that necessary assurance,' Martin said. 'Ultimately, disrupting the linear economy will require agreement on a common language, with harmonization through standardization central to creating the clarity and coherence that can build trust.' The duo's research revealed high hopes for sustainable materials across the board. Forty percent of respondents have strong expectations for luxury brands, 37 percent for high street and 29 percent for discount online fashion, suggesting a 'clear and growing demand that will inevitably put pressure on sourcing and manufacturing practices.' Take Chanel, for example. The luxury label's classic products—often resold or passed down through generations—gain sentimental and financial value over time, per the report. Ralph Lauren, too, has embraced circular principles that reinforce the value of craftsmanship and legacy and demand for vintage products. 'Luxury fashion brands are also repositioning circularity as it further promotes the exclusivity and uniqueness of products,' the report reads. 'These examples speak to what [Malcolm] Gladwell calls the 'stickiness factor': the emotional resonance and memorability that drive adoption and advocacy.' Another key finding impacting the cost structures and investment decisions within the supply chain was the lack of increased consumer willingness to pay a premium for these sustainable products. The data shows that the respondents 'Net Likely' to spend over £200 pound (around $275) on a regular clothing item (39 percent) was virtually the same as for an upcycled/recycled item (38 percent) or one with third-party verified sustainability credentials (41 percent). 'Companies grapple with ensuring product longevity amid operational complexity and supplier challenges, while striving to balance the costs of investing in new processes or reshaping supply chains,' Martin said. 'And although consumers display high awareness of the benefits of sustainability, there is still a gap between ambition and action.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Graphic Packaging Issues 2024 Impact Report: Toward a Better Future
ATLANTA, July 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Graphic Packaging Holding Company (NYSE: GPK) ("Graphic Packaging"), a global leader in sustainable consumer packaging, today announced the release of its 2024 Impact Report. The report highlights the company's progress toward its Better by 2030 commitments announced last year, as part of a multi-year Better, Every Day sustainability initiative. Grounded in its Vision 2030 business strategy, Graphic Packaging's Better by 2030 sustainability goals outline actions the company is taking to: create better packaging designed to drive circularity. do better for people through safer work environments, engaging employees and local community involvement. shape a better future for the planet by reducing its environmental footprint and sustaining forests. "Our Vision 2030 strategy places more focus than ever on innovation across our business," said Graphic Packaging President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Doss. "Combined with our foundational commitment to sustainability, we are positioned to meet growing global demand for packaging innovations that are more circular, more functional and more convenient than existing alternatives." Highlights from Graphic Packaging's 2024 Impact Report include: Better Packaging Approximately 1 billion plastic packages replaced with paperboard packaging 97% of packaging products sold characterized as recyclable1 More than 130 new patent applications filed Better for People Over 20,000 employee engagement survey participants (87%) 47% increase in Employee Resource Group participation 98% of global sites implemented Health Safety and Environment (HSE) Excellence System Better Future 70% of EMEA electricity use to be covered by new virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) 89% of purchased forest products sustainably sourced Approximately 1 million metric tons of our generated waste materials recycled Toward 2050 Net-Zero Aspiration Better by 2030 includes near-term climate action goals that Graphic Packaging is taking to advance its aspiration of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 (in accordance with the Paris Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goal 13). These goals include validated science-based targets to reduce GHG emissions across the company's operations and value chain, as well as commitments to increase the use of renewable fuel and electricity. "We identified several ways to make sizeable GHG reductions, including upgrading to more efficient biomass boilers and steam turbines for cogeneration of steam and electricity at two of our wood-based paperboard manufacturing facilities," said Graphic Packaging Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Michelle Fitzpatrick. "We are also exploring options to switch to 50% or more renewable electricity across all of our operations." Graphic Packaging's first VPPA, announced in 2024, supports planned solar projects in Spain and is expected to come online in late 2025. This will enable packaging operations in Europe to match 70% of the region's total electricity demand with renewable energy attribute certificates. "Climate change remains one of society's most pressing challenges, and we are firmly committed to doing our part to limit global warming by achieving net-zero emissions by 2050," Fitzpatrick said. Download the 2024 Impact Report Graphic Packaging reports in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainable Accounting Standards Board Containers and Packaging standards along with providing information aligned with the Task Force for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures framework and the U.N. Global Compact Communication on Progress. See the complete 2024 Impact Report: Learn more about what's driving our sustainability strategy: 1 Defined as widely recyclable, locally recyclable, or conditionally recyclable. About Graphic Packaging Holding CompanyGraphic Packaging designs and produces consumer packaging made primarily from renewable or recycled materials. An industry leader in innovation, the Company is committed to reducing the environmental footprint of consumer packaging. Graphic Packaging operates a global network of design and manufacturing facilities serving the world's most widely recognized brands in food, beverage, foodservice, household, and other consumer products. Learn more at Contacts: Media: Comms@ Investors: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Graphic Packaging Holding Company Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Closing the Loop at Scale: Andreas Dorner on how RE&UP is Powering Circularity in Textiles
In this exclusive interview, Andreas Dorner, General Manager at RE&UP, reveals how the company is pioneering large-scale textile-to-textile circularity with innovative recycling technologies, robust traceability, and strategic partnerships. Dorner discusses the challenges and opportunities of scaling circular solutions, the importance of cost-competitiveness, and the critical role of collaboration and certification in driving the apparel industry toward a truly sustainable future. Andreas Dorner has served the textile industry for over 15 years, with a strong focus on sustainable fibre innovation and circular economy models. As the former Senior Commercial Director of Textiles at Lenzing Group and now General Manager at RE&UP, Andreas brings global expertise and a trusted network across leading textile retailers and brands. He is recognised as a thought leader and innovator in recycling fibres, having pioneered the first Circular WBCF in 2017 and holding multiple fibre innovation patents. Outside of work, Andreas enjoys hiking, sailing, continuous learning, classical music, history, and travelling. He has been married for 26 years and is the father of two daughters. Just Style (JS): Could you outline the core vision that guides RE&UP and how this shapes your strategic goals? Andreas Dorner (AD): At RE&UP, our vision is simple: make post-consumer textile to textile circularity work at scale. That means we have already developed and implemented technologies that transform end-of-life textiles into high-quality, traceable raw materials and are doing it in a way that's commercially viable for the industry. We're building the backbone for circular fashion; we're not here to be a niche solution. Our strategy reflects that! We're scaling fast, investing in technology and collaborating across the value chain to turn textile waste into a valuable resource, not a liability. JS: How does RE&UP's textile recycling technology differ from other solutions in the market? AD: What sets us apart is our ability to recycle existing post-consumer textile waste – we handle blended textiles at scale, particularly coloured polycotton with elastane, which has long been a pain point in recycling. Our proprietary decolourisation and separation technologies allow us to break down these blends and recover both cotton and polyester fibres that perform very similarly to virgin materials. While many recycling methods result in lower-grade outputs, we produce Next-Gen recycled fibres that can be easily implemented into the textile value chain and are traceable. That's a big win for brands needing both performance and transparency. JS: As you aim to expand globally, what are the anticipated challenges in scaling up and your strategies to address them? AD: Scaling this kind of operation isn't just about more machines; it's about building regional ecosystems that can support textile-to-textile recycling. That includes reliable feedstock sources, local infrastructure and navigating patchy regulatory environments. The good news? We're already the largest player in this space and are doubling our production capacity in Turkey and expanding into Europe to reach 200,000 tons and aiming for 1 million tons by 2030 in the long term. We're also actively planning our first plant outside Turkey, with our sights set on Europe. Where possible, we try to avoid the term 'waste' because what we're really doing is reclaiming value from existing materials—and the industry is starting to see that, too. JS: What environmental impacts have RE&UP's reductions in water use and CO₂ emissions had on local communities? AD: The benefits are tangible. By drastically reducing water use and CO₂ emissions compared to virgin fibre production, we're not just hitting environmental KPIs, we're supporting healthier ecosystems and more sustainable local economies. Our benchmark reflects in LCA, and we're working closely with a leading third-party LCA Auditor Company on these assessments, all backed up with data. Early results are very promising and, once consolidated, will offer a robust footprint for our customers to use in their own reporting. JS: How does RE&UP's business model contribute to a circular economy in the textile industry? AD: Our model is built around closing the loop—literally. We turn post-consumer and post-industrial textiles into high-performance fibres that slot straight back into the supply chain. And because our materials are cost-competitive compared to virgin alternatives, brands don't have to choose between circularity and profitability. That's what makes this model scalable. JS: How has RE&UP managed to maintain cost-competitiveness while prioritizing environmental responsibility? AD: Sustainability doesn't have to come with a price penalty. By optimising efficiency and operating at scale, we're able to offer cost-competitive alternatives to virgin fibres. Our materials deliver on both quality and price and that's key if we want circularity to move beyond pilot projects and into the mainstream. JS: In what ways does RE&UP assist brands with compliance to sustainability regulations such as the EPR and the Green Claims Directive? AD: Brands are under pressure to prove their sustainability claims – and rightly so. We help by providing traceable materials backed by third-party certifications like GRS and RCS, along with robust data to support impact reporting. Whether it's preparing for EPR requirements or navigating the Green Claims Directive, we equip brands with real tools, not just good intentions. JS: How important are GRS and RCS certifications to RE&UP, and how do you ensure product traceability? AD: We see GRS and RCS as a starting point, not the end goal. They provide the foundation of credibility but our internal systems go further. We ensure traceability throughout the process, from material intake all the way to the final product. That kind of transparency gives brands the confidence they need, and regulators the proof they demand. JS: With growing consumer demand for sustainability, how has RE&UP's market positioning and customer response evolved? AD: Sustainability has moved from a niche to a non-negotiable. More than ever, brands are coming to us not just because they want to be circular, but because they have to be. What's changed is the urgency and the fact that customers are now asking the hard questions. Our traceable, high-performing fibres help brands answer those questions with confidence. JS: What are the next steps for RE&UP in terms of innovation and environmental stewardship, and what role do you see for the company in the future of sustainable textiles? AD: We're focused on turning circularity into infrastructure. That means scaling our technology, opening new facilities and collaborating with like-minded players across the value chain. We also co-founded the T2T Alliance, alongside other leading textile-to-textile recyclers, to advocate for better policy and more ambitious standards across Europe. It's not just about doing the right thing as a business; it's about helping shape the future rules of the game. JS: How is RE&UP engaging consumers and brands to raise awareness about textile recycling and circular fashion? AD: Our focus has always been B2B, but consumer awareness is essential. We work closely with our brand partners to bring transparency to the forefront, helping them tell the story of where materials come from and why that matters. We also speak up at industry events, contribute to policy discussions, and share what we're learning along the way. Education is part of the business model. JS: Why do you think consumer behaviour plays a crucial role in driving sustainability in fashion? AD: Because brands listen to their customers. When consumers demand transparency and circularity, it drives real change. But we also believe it's our job to make those sustainable choices easier—to remove the friction. That's why we focus on performance. If our fibres don't match virgin quality, they won't make it into the collections that people actually buy. We're here to make the sustainable option the default, not the compromise. JS: Are there any notable partnerships or collaborations that have helped accelerate RE&UP's mission? AD: Yes—and one we're especially proud of is our ongoing partnership with PUMA, where we've been working together to integrate our Next-Gen fibres into performance-driven collections. It's a perfect example of how sustainability and innovation can coexist without compromise. On a systems level, we're also engaging with governments, recyclers, and NGOs to build an ecosystem that enables true circularity—not just one-off pilots. JS: Andreas, thank you for sharing your expertise and the inspiring work RE&UP is doing to advance circularity in the textile industry. Your insights into the challenges and opportunities of scaling sustainable solutions offer valuable guidance for brands and stakeholders navigating this evolving landscape. We appreciate your openness and commitment to driving real change, and we look forward to seeing how RE&UP continues to shape the future of circular fashion. "Closing the Loop at Scale: Andreas Dorner on how RE&UP is Powering Circularity in Textiles " was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
