H&M denies burning usable clothes after television report
25/10/2017
Research carried out by the programme led to waste disposal company in Denmark, where journalists claim to have witnessed garments from H&M being delivered and then destroyed.
Further investigations allegedly showed that the waste disposal company has incinerated 60 tonnes of new apparel from H&M since 2013.
In response, H&M said: “For H&M to send our products for incineration is very rare; it’s only done when they do not fulfil our safety regulations, if they are mould infested or do not fulfil our strict chemical requirements. We are very concerned as to why some media would suggest that we would destroy usable clothing. There is absolutely no reason for us to do such a thing.”
It explained that the ‘new’ products that the television programme claims to have tested had failed H&M own tests in external laboratories due to mould infestation or excess levels of lead. These products are not sold in accordance with its safety routines and are instead destroyed.
In its statement, H&M also gave details about its procedures for unsold products, saying: “Products stopped for other reasons than health and safety are either donated to charity organisations or re-used through re-use/recycling companies. Those products in stores that are not sold at full price are sold at a reduced price through our sales. We also actively move garments to stores or markets where we see a greater demand, or store them for the next season. At a last resort, we consider external buyers of our overstock.”
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