// H&M reports that 97% of its cotton came from sustainable sources in 2019
// By 2023, the retailer wants 100% of its materials to be recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way.
H&M Group has released its Group Sustainability Performance Report 2019, highlighting the retailers progress towards circular and climate positive fashion.
According to the report, the retail giant reached 97 per cent recycled or other sustainably-sourced cotton in 2019 and will not source conventional cotton for collections from 2020 onwards.
In addition to this, 57 per cent of its materials are now recycled or sourced in a more sustainable way, thereby taking steps towards its 100 per cent goal for 2030.
READ MORE: H&M opens sustainable supply chain up to rivals
“I am proud of all the progress we did in 2019,” H&M Group head of sustainability Anna Gedda said.
“Looking ahead, not only our industry will continue changing rapidly, but also the world as a whole.”
The report, released on Thursday, highlights some of the retailer’s achievements including the launch of new circular initiatives involving on-demand customisation, repair, rental, renewal, re-commerce options and reusable packaging.
One of its latest initiatives is Treadler, a B2B service offering textile and apparel retailers access to H&M’s global supply chain to accelerate sustainable social and environmental change through their own value chains more quickly.
This 2020 has started with a challenge we never saw before with the spread of Covid-19 affecting the whole world, companies and societies,” Gedda said.
“I am confident that the long-term vision we always had, and will continue having, on sustainability will play an – even more – crucial role in facing these challenges.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette’s free daily email newsletter
