An important part of our community investment work is to provide support in times of crisis. In cases of major disasters, H&M makes direct contributions to emergency relief efforts and humanitarian aid. In addition to this we regularly donate clothes to selected partner organisations.
Over the years, H&M has contributed to emergency relief efforts in several countries that have been hit by major disasters. H&M always administers its support through our long-term partner UNICEF.
Each year H&M donates large quantities of clothes to aid organisations in countries in which we operate. Garments we donate include samples and clothes that do not comply with H&M’s quality requirements.
H&M donated more than 3.2 million garments to charities in 2012 alone.
However, we do not give away clothes that do not meet our safety requirements or do not comply with our Chemical Restrictions. Unfortunately, we found out that not all of our stores were following our policy. We have therefore introduced an updated policy and additional implementation guidance.
The updated policy states that all unsold products should be donated to charity or, if possible, be recycled into something useful. The charities chosen must meet basic criteria and undertake to provide H&M with a report that specifies the amount of goods received as well as how and where the goods have been used.
Our policy also allows for charitable organisations to sell donated garments to generate funds that support their work.
Karl-Johan Persson, CEO gives his opinion on H&M's sustain-ability program. Click here
Watch videos about our sustainability work. Click here
A few case studies on some of the work we do. Click here
H&M has defined seven ambitious commitments on sustainability which we work hard every day to achieve.
1 - Provide fashion for conscious customers
2 - Choose and reward responsible partners
Find out about our sustainability performance in the latest Concious Actions Sustainability Report 2012.
Little time? Take a quick glance through the highlights from 2012.
