The journey of life: H&M launches second Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold collection for newborns
When a baby is born, a new journey of life begins. H&M’s latest Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold newborn collection has its own circular journey –once worn and loved to pieces, the collection is also fully compostable. The Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard is one of the world’s most trusted science-based frameworks for designing and manufacturing safer and more circular products. Soft, sweet and with innovative design, the collection will be in stores and online at hm.com on 6 April 2023.
The clothing and accessories featured in the collection are made with organic cotton. There’s also a new, innovative bodysuit made completely without metal or plastic trims, which means nappy-changing time just got a whole lot easier. “Room to grow” details such as adjustable waists plus foldable waistbands and cuffs mean longer-lasting designs.
Following the story of a bumblebee and orange flower growing through Spring, there are 15 pieces – tie-wrap long-sleeve tops and bodysuits, ruffle-sleeve top, dungarees, leggings, shorts, hats, blankets and a soft, illustrated baby book. The colour palette includes cream, light peach, light sage green and lilac with pops of tangerine. Soft uneven ribbed, waffle, crinkled and patchwork fabrics and herringbone tape are all made with soft organic cotton, while cute bumblebees, flowers and foliage feature as prints or embroidery.
“We’re so proud to achieve the Cradle to Cradle Certified® certification at the Gold level again with this sweet and cosy collection. I also love the illustrations of little bumblebees and orange flowers that grow into a bountiful garden. For us, the whole collection is proof that innovation, style and circularity can be combined wonderfully,”
says Sofia Löfstedt, Head of Design & Creative at H&M Kids.
“With the launch of this newborn collection, H&M shows that it’s possible today to make products for tomorrow, smartly designed from the start with the principles of longevity and durability in mind. Achieving Cradle to Cradle Certified® at Gold level means that the garments in this collection are safe and ready for the circular economy. They present design features that address the problem of unnecessary textile waste typically associated with babies’ fast growth, while also considering circular post-use options,”
says Nienke Steen, Global Lead Apparel, Textiles and Footwear at the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.
To achieve the Cradle to Cradle certification, each product in the newborn collection was assessed across five categories of sustainability performance for the final manufacturing stage of the product in accordance with the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Product Standard. These include Material Health, Product Circularity, Clean Air and Climate Protection, Water and Soil Stewardship, and Social Fairness. H&M worked closely with supply chain partners to ensure each product in the collection has been created using materials and chemicals that are safe for people and the planet and designed without plastic or metal trims. The items are also manufactured promoting renewable energy and clean air projects. All materials and components, including the printing pigments, are carefully chosen to ensure the whole collection is fully recyclable, even in a home compost.
The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute awards certifications on the basis of ascending achievement levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) based upon a product’s performance in each of the five certification categories.
Visit c2ccertified.org for more information.
For more information and background around the campaign, including additional imagery and products, please source H&M Magazine