Hanes has partnered with How2Recycle, a standardized labeling system that will help the company clearly communicate packaging recycling instructions on the nearly 500 million packages of product it sells in the United States and Canada.
Hanes has begun submitting its packaging components for recyclability assessments by How2Recycle, which provides the proper recycling label for each packaging configuration. Labels identify the type or types of materials used in the packaging, what to do with each component, actions to take before recycling and how to get more information – all in an easy-to-understand format.
“As a major manufacturer of some of North America’s most popular brands of everyday basic innerwear and activewear apparel, we take responsibility for minimizing the environmental impacts of our operations, products and packaging,” said Mike Faircloth, HanesBrands’ group president, global operations, American Casualwear and e-commerce. “Recycling is a vital part of HanesBrands’ environmental sustainability strategy, and joining forces with How2Recycle is an important step in including our consumers in this effort.”
The How2Recycle labels are set to debut in six months on Hanes men’s underwear and T-shirts, with all of the company’s product lines to follow, including socks, bras, panties and activewear.
Zero waste, along with significant reductions in energy use, water use and carbon emissions plus an increased use of renewable energy, is part of Hanes’ 2020 environmental stewardship goals. In 2018, the company recycled more than 107 million pounds of fabric, corrugate, plastic and other materials.
The company is also focused on increasing the use of eco-friendly materials in its products, including recycled cotton fibers derived from cut fabric waste and recycled polyester filament yarns and fibers. Annually, Hanes uses about 6 million pounds of recycled materials in its products.
Hanes’ continued commitment to environmental sustainability and significant progress against aggressive 2020 goals earned the company its 10th consecutive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner of the Year/Sustained Excellence award in 2018.
Hanes also earned an A- score and leadership position in the CDP 2018 Climate Change Report. The company scored in the top 6% of nearly 7,000 companies that participated in the most recent report and achieved the highest score in the apparel industry.
