HanesBrands, Winston-Salem, N.C., has partnered with How2Recycle, a standardized labeling system, to help the company clearly communicate recycling instructions on the nearly 500 million packages it sells in the United States and Canada.
Hanes has begun submitting its packaging components for recyclability assessments by How2Recycle, which provides the proper recycling label for each packaging configuration. Labels identify the type or types of materials used in the packaging, what to do with each component, actions to take before recycling and how to get more information — all in an easy-to-understand format, according to the company.
“As a major manufacturer of some of North America’s most popular brands of everyday basic innerwear and activewear apparel, we take responsibility for minimizing the environmental impacts of our operations, products and packaging,” says Mike Faircloth, HanesBrands’ group president, global operations, American casualwear and e-commerce. “Recycling is a vital part of HanesBrands’ environmental sustainability strategy and joining forces with How2Recycle is an important step in including our consumers in this effort.”
The How2Recycle labels are set to debut in six months on Hanes men’s underwear and T-shirts, with all of the company’s product lines to follow, including socks, bras, panties and activewear.
The company also is focused on increasing the use of eco-friendly materials in its products, including recycled cotton fibers derived from cut fabric waste and recycled polyester filament yarns and fibers. — D.S.
