Levi Strauss launches UK clothing recycling scheme

Customers can exchange unwanted clothing for a 10% off voucher

The US jeans manufacturer Levi Strauss & Co has launched its clothing recycling scheme in the UK and hopes to implement it throughout the rest of Europe by the end of 2017.

The denim brand launched its clothing recycling scheme in the US in early 2015 and its success has inspired the company to expands its initiative across the Atlantic.

Levi Strauss customers can take unwanted clothing and shoes to any of the chain’s nationwide shops and in return, they will receive a 10% off voucher to spend in store. Levi Strauss hopes that the initiative will inspire the people of Great Britain to recycle more clothing instead of shipping them off to landfill.

 

The vice president of sustainability at Levi Strauss, Michael Kobori, said that the firm is focusing upon “sustainability across all facets” of its business but also wants to encourage a “shift in consumer behaviour” which would see clothing and shoe recycling becoming “the norm”.

According to Levi Strauss, 350,000 tonnes of discarded clothing and footwear ends up in landfill every year. The US firm is not the only organisation who recognises that this is not sustainable.

Mr Kobori said: “As an industry leader, we consider all phases of our product lifecycle, including stages beyond our direct control like the product’s end point.”

The launch of the clothing recycling initiative in the UK and Europe will result in a closer partnership between Levi Strauss and I:Collect; a worldwide company which offers solutions for the reuse and recycling of unwanted textiles, clothing, footwear.

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