H&M bets clothing recycling could eventually solve some of the industry’s biggest environmental problems. But can a fast fashion company solve the problem it helped create?
Business Insider
H&M’s first in-store recycling system based on Technology LOOP
Based on H&M Report
- H&M Clothing Recycling Strategy is based on Circular solutions. If one uses, for example, a recycled cotton shirt to make a new shirt there’s no need to grow more cotton. We can just use what’s already been produced. That’s circular fashion. And that’s what the Technology LOOOP is all about.
- Looop is the world’s first in-store recycling system turning old garments into new ones. In just eight steps, Looop shreds your old garment and knits a new one from the old fibres. No water, no dye. The only thing added is some sustainably sourced material to strengthen the yarn. This has to be done since the mechanical shredding shortens the fibres of your old garment.
- The technology behind Looop has been developed by The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA) in collaboration with the non-profit H&M Foundation. As of now, Looop is the only in-store recycling machine, but HKRITA will license the technology widely to help the entire industry become more circular.
The Process of Turning old Garments into New involves 8 steps
Based on H&M Report
- Cleaning – First, your old garment is sprayed with ozone to remove any microorganisms.
- Shredding- The garment is then shredded down into small chunks of fabric fibres.
- Filtering -Shredded chunks are filtered to remove dirt, and extra virgin material is added for strength.
- Carding – The clean fibre mix is straightened into a fibre web and then pulled into slivers.
- Drawing – Multiple fibre slivers are combined to create even stronger, thicker slivers.
- Spinning – The thick fibre slivers are spun to create a single yarn thread.
- Twisting – Single yarn threads are doubled and twisted together to increase their strength.
- Knitting – The yarn is then knitted into a new, ready-to-wear design.
