Fashion Giants Launched Apparel Recovery Coalition
The two-year initiative aims to test new waste management models in response to environmental concerns.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Fashion
Live Poll
Should large fashion companies be required to fund the disposal and recycling of their discarded clothing?
Major retailers including Adidas, H&M Group, Inditex, and Bestseller have formed the Apparel Recovery Coalition. The group launched a two-year initiative to trial textile waste management and producer responsibility models in Accra, Ghana.
Why it matters
Fashion companies face mounting pressure to address the significant environmental impacts resulting from their massive production volumes and global textile exports.
The initiative targets waste in hubs like the Kantamanto Market, which processes approximately 25 million garments monthly. H&M Group produced 364,093 metric tons of products during 2025.
The players
Inditex
This multinational clothing company owns several brands, including Zara, and manages large-scale global textile supply chains.
H&M Group
This international retail company is a significant producer of fast fashion garments sold globally.
The Or Foundation
This organization has 15 years of experience supporting the circular textile ecosystem in Ghana.
Adidas
This global corporation specializes in the design and manufacture of athletic apparel and footwear.
Bestseller
This family-owned clothing company operates a diverse portfolio of international fashion brands.
The details
The coalition, which includes The Or Foundation and Circle Economy, will fund recovery projects and integrate local community perspectives into their governance. Findings from the demonstration project are expected to guide future industry regulations and sustainability practices.
Timeline
In 2024, Inditex utilized 678,596 metric tons of raw materials.
During 2025, Inditex used 705,554 metric tons of materials while H&M produced 364,093 metric tons.
The Apparel Recovery Coalition officially launched its initiative on October 12, 2026.
The demonstration project is scheduled to run for the next 24 months.
Culture Shift
This move represents a broader societal shift as major retailers move away from traditional consumption models toward circular textile systems. It marks a departure from historic industry practices that often ignored the end-of-life environmental costs of mass-produced garments.
This initiative primarily affects global supply chain logistics rather than the daily purchasing routine of the average consumer. Residents of the regions hosting demonstration projects may experience changes in waste management processes and local textile processing methods.
The takeaway
The coalition acknowledges that scaling textile recovery requires integrating local expertise with corporate infrastructure. Consumers should look for how these pilot programs influence broader garment recycling standards in the coming years.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the industry by visiting the Fashion section.
Live Poll
Should large fashion companies be required to fund the disposal and recycling of their discarded clothing?
