Wouldn’t it be nice if every piece of clothing you bought came with a guarantee that it could be returned at the end of its life to the factory, brand or retailer where it was purchased? No questions asked, just show the label and hand it in?
The US outdoor brand The North Face is getting one step closer to this utopia with its first circular collection: The 18 pieces of the collection can simply be handed in by customers to a The North Face branch as part of the “The Clothes The Loop” program. when they are no longer needed. It doesn’t matter what condition the clothes, shoes or equipment are in.
“Each of the raw materials and components has been analyzed and carefully selected to ensure that the gear can be easily recycled at the end of a trip,” explains The North Face in a statement. After the customer has handed it in at the end of the product, the company wants to ensure that it does not end up in landfill, but can be recycled, refurbished or donated.
“The 18 styles The North Face has created this season feature low-waste designs that are more easily dismantled and recycled at the end of their useful life, in a spirit of circular economy. Each product is based on a design approach that reduces waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use for a long time and helps to regenerate natural systems.
By 2025, 100 percent of upper materials will be recycled, regenerated or renewed to reduce the ecological footprint.
The collection is now available online and in selected stores. Prices range from 100 euros for Polartec pants or a plus-size fleece jacket to 130 euros for a fleece jacket with a hood.
