A second life for used textiles at HEMA

HEMA clothing is made to last. From the design to the final stitch: we choose a good fit, comfortable materials and products that stay beautiful even after many washes. This way, you can wear our clothing for a long time and easily pass it on to someone else. Is a garment truly worn out after intensive use? Then it still gets a second life at HEMA. In more and more of our stores, you can hand in used clothing; already more than 100 locations. This helps us keep valuable raw materials in circulation. 

At HEMA, we look not only at quality and comfort when designing our products, but also at what happens to them after use. For example, where possible we limit the amount of elastane, so textiles can be recycled more easily without compromising quality. Marieke de Haan-Doolaard, Director of Sustainability at HEMA, says: ‘The most important thing is that our products last as long as possible. Our design and quality team make sure of that. We see the collection bins as part of our responsibility to ensure that products can become raw materials again. We are affiliated with the UPV Textiel Foundation and contribute to the Dutch goal of collecting 75% of all textiles sold by 2030 for reuse or recycling. This prevents clothing from becoming waste and allows us to reuse materials wherever possible.’

sorting and recycling
In more and more HEMA stores, you’ll find collection bins for used textiles. The collected materials are picked up by Drop&Loop (part of Wolkat) and taken to the Wolkat sorting centre in Tilburg. There, they are sorted into reusable textiles, non‑reusable textiles and residual materials. Around half of the items get a second life; these go to second‑hand shops and wholesalers. The remaining half is processed into new yarns, which are further developed and used in different fabrics and recycled products. Some is also used for felt production. The entire process, from sorting to product development, takes place under one roof in Tangier, Morocco. These yarns, fabrics and products are supplied to well‑known companies in sectors such as home textiles and fashion. Philip Boumans, owner of Wolkat, says: ‘HEMA has a clear mission and vision on sustainability. This fits perfectly with us as an innovative textile‑recycling company. For us, it’s important to have the right match with a partner, because we always want to work and operate with a long‑term and sustainable approach.'

join in?
Products that last as long as possible are good for the planet and for your wallet. The design, the materials we use, and the collection bins all contribute to this. We also help customers keep their products looking good for as long as possible and make it fun and easy to pass on clothing. On our website and packaging, for example, we share washing tips. We also offer practical videos showing how to repair clothing, such as fixing a hole in trousers or shortening a pair of pants. You can hand in your clothing or household textiles at a HEMA collection point. It takes little effort and helps reuse materials. Suitable items include clothing and towels; shoes and raincoats cannot be handed in. For every drop‑off, you receive a 10% discount on a new textile item at HEMA.