Uniqlo is channeling its sustainable side with the launch of Re.Uniqlo, an initiative to turn unwanted clothes into new garments.
The Japanese retailer started the project in its home country a year ago where it has collected 620,000 old jackets which it will be turning into recycled down puffer jackets – the first product from Re.Uniqlo.
These will be priced at €79.99 and can be bought in three colours – brown, dark grey and dark green – 9 November onwards.
Using recycled material ensures a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and resource consumption throughout the product cycle.
Kicking off the reuse mission, Christophe Lemaire, Art Director, Uniqlo’s Paris R&D Center, said “My personal commitment is in line with Re.Uniqlo’s goals. The Uniqlo U Recycled Down Jacket represents Uniqlo’s and my own ongoing commitment to sustainability.”
The project will now allow customers to donate their used or worn out clothing to Uniqlo stores starting 24 September and will receive a voucher in return redeemable at the store or online.
Although the down jacket is only one product launching from the Re.Uniqlo collection, for next year’s items, a new down collection is already starting in 21 countries.
“We have more than 2,000 stores around the world, and we can solve social issues by collecting products that our customers no longer need at stores and recreating them into new products”, Masahiro Endo, Social Communications Director at Uniqlo’s holding company Fast Retailing said.
Masahiro added “We will create the ultimate recycling model in our supply chain with the cooperation of our customers, and as a result, we aim to reduce resource usage, carbon dioxide emissions and waste.”
