Mango localises clothing donation management as it advances circular economy strategy

Mango has partnered with I:CO to localise its collection of customers' pre-loved garments in four European markets, as it looks to advance its circular economy strategy.

Mango first trialled the take-back programme in stores in major Spanish cities in 2015, installing so-called Committed Box containers in-stores to allow customers to donated pre-loved clothing and shoes irrespective of brand. The programme has since expanded to 15 countries and by the end of 2021 containers were installed in 759 Mango stores.

Up until now Mango managed the clothing donations from Spain but as part of the new partnership with I:CO management of items in Germany, Poland, Switzerland and Turkey will now be localised. Mango is also in discussion with other potential local partners to manage waste locally in the other markets in which it operates. By creating local partnership Mango reduces the carbon footprint by reducing travel of and optimises inverse logistics.

As part of the new agreement I:CO will be responsible for collecting the garments and shoes deposited in the containers and will sort them based on their condition - either giving them a new life in a second-hand store or recycling them into textile fibres for industrial use.

Beatriz Bayo, Sustainability Director at Mango commented: “Moving forward in our circular economy strategy is one of the pillars of our sustainability goals. For this reason, we are working on extending our Committed Box project through agreements like this one, working in coalition with local partners that will allow us to contribute on a local level in every country where the project is implemented.”