6 Brands Leading Circular Fashion with Take Back/Resell Programs in the US
The key underlying principles of circularity are elimination of waste and pollution, circulation of products and materials (at their highest value), and regeneration of nature. Brands selling consumer goods can focus on eliminating waste and reintroducing end-of-life products to the supply chain. Circularity can appear in different stages of the supply chain, such as using biodegradable or reusable packaging materials, incentivizing consumers to return the end products for recycling, and/or reusing waste as new raw material. In addition, innovative waste management solutions like TerraCycle and Loop allow brands and retailers to give new life to a wide range of products.
Consumers and companies alike influence the demand for circular products by reimagining the decisions made by parties involved in supply chains and product design. In Europe, circular-economy product segments are already poised to increase in market size by 10-15% by 2030, making it an estimated €400 billion to €650 billion annual opportunity for European companies. Investing in long-lasting products, following local recycling rules, and limiting unnecessary consumption and waste are all ways to extend the life cycle of everyday products that would have otherwise been dumped into landfills. To push for circularity, more brands are initiating a resale program where customers can buy pre-loved items and sell their used items for store credit. These ten sustainable fashion brands in the US are implementing practices that are taking this step to close the loop and keep the products in circulation and out of landfills.
1. Mara Hoffman
Instagram | @marahoffman
Based in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide
Certifications | Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex
Mara Hoffman is on a mission to reduce the impact on our planet and to generate greater awareness of the fashion industry’s responsibility to climate justice. When it comes to materials, they choose natural, recycled, and organic fabrics. Mara Hoffman’s Full Circle Marketplace ensures that high-quality Mara Hoffman garments enjoy multiple lives.
Browse Mara Hoffman’s Full Circle Marketplace
2. Outerknown
Instagram | @outerknown
Based in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide
Certifications | Fair Trade Certified
Outerknown envisions their clothing to contribute to a world where people and planet prosper. Their clothing is centered on fair labor, sustainability innovation, and circularity through community engagement and activism. Outerknown’s goal is to make excellent-quality, sustainable products that last a lifetime in order to keep their garments out of landfills and in circulation forever. Their circular program, Outerworn, offers customers a chance to buy and sell pre-loved pieces, which will be repurposed into new products.
3. Another Tomorrow
Instagram | @anothertomorrow
Based in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide
Certifications | B Corporation, 1% for the Planet, Climate Neutral Certified, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS)
Another Tomorrow promotes circular economy through business principles of community, transparency, and organic scarcity. Using fashion as a pathway to activism, Another Tomorrow strives to tell the stories behind the clothes, educate and engage the global community. The brand feels that as creators it is their obligation to be conscious of the impact their garments have on the environment. Implementing circularity to extend the life of its products, the brand’s Authenticated Resale program is where consumers can resell and buy used garments. Each high-quality garment also contribute to the brand’s circular initiative by being made from materials like GRS recycled cashmere, renewed denim, and recycled polyester buttons. Their Authenticated Resale is aimed, in part, at reducing the production of new clothes.
4. Re/Done
Instagram | @shopredone
Based in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide
Offline Stores | West Hollywood, Malibu, Hamptons, Miami, Paris
Re/Done creates one-of-a-kind luxury designs with a commitment to sustainability and circular fashion at its core. The brand seeks to restore individuality to the luxury space, keep heritage brands relevant, and create sustainable, mindful fashion with more than half of the products being upcycled or recycled, they seek to advance their ethics of process, product, people, and the planet. At Re/Done, you can give your pre-owned Re/Done's a second chance at life and receive store credit worth 80% of your selling price.
5. For Days
Instagram | @fordays
Based in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide
For Days was born with a mission to promote recyclable fashion in a zero-waste system, making 100% of their products recyclable. The brand's Take Back Bag program helps you clean out your closet. For Days recycles used clothing from any brand, in any condition with the Take Back Bag enabling your old clothes to be recycled by the brand's recycling partners.
6. Patagonia
Instagram | @patagonia wornwear
Based in | United States
Shipping | Worldwide
Certifications | B Corporation, Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Fair Trade Certified, Forest Stewardship (FSC), Bluesign
Patagonia buys back your used Patagonia products through their Worn Wear program, and you can use the credit you receive toward purchases in Patagonia retail or online stores. Recrafted and repaired Patagonia clothes are also available for purchase at Worn Wear Patagonia.