Cascale Updates Higg MSI Cotton Methodology, Trove Launches E-commerce Resale Plugin, European Textile Recycling Sector Warns of Crisis & More
October 21-25 | Here's what happened this Week/End
Welcome to Week/End, your quick-hit guide to the week's sustainability news at the intersection of fashion, ethics, and business.
From the latest advancements in circularity to breakthroughs in material innovation and forward-thinking legislation, each week we curate the need-to-know stories and news developments in sustainable fashion to keep you informed—without the overwhelm.
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED IS SUSTAINABLE FASHION THIS WEEK/END:
Cascale Announced New Cotton Methodology for Higg MSI
Developed over three years with contributions from global stakeholders, including CottonConnect and Better Cotton, this cotton-specific life cycle assessment sets clear standards for data collection from cotton farmers. It enhances impact measurement, reduces the need for repeated data requests, and accounts for environmental factors like drought and pest influence on cotton production.
Cascale also announced a strategic partnership with Open Supply Hub (OS Hub) to facilitate the disclosure of Tier 1 supplier data through OS Hub’s open-data platform for its members—brands, retailers, and manufacturers.
To support the initiative, Cascale and OS Hub will host a webinar titled Open Data, Open Doors on November 21, offering insights on how members and stakeholders can leverage OS Hub’s database to advance sustainability and transparency goals. Further collaborative updates are expected in early 2025.
→ Register to join the webinar here
Trove Released a Plugin to Integrate Pre-Owned Items with New Products on E-Commerce Platforms
Trove launched a new Resale Plugin, allowing brands to embed pre-owned items directly into existing e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Salesforce, creating a unified shopping experience where new and used products appear side-by-side on product detail and landing pages.
With the plugin, brands can customize how secondhand items are displayed, choosing to showcase exact product matches, similar items, or even past-season stock, making it easier for customers to explore sustainable options as they shop.
This integration represents a shift from standalone secondhand sections to a more cohesive shopping journey that meets growing consumer demand for sustainable choices.
Following Trove’s recent acquisition of competitor Recurate, the company now oversees over 75% of branded resale traffic in the U.S., positioning this new plugin as a critical tool for brands looking to attract environmentally-conscious customers and enhance loyalty through a fully integrated resale experience.
Textile Exchange Released 2023 Materials Benchmark Report
The latest Materials Benchmark Report from Textile Exchange reveals a continued industry shift toward more sustainable material sourcing in fashion and textiles. This year’s report highlights growing commitments to sustainable programs, increased climate targets, and proactive steps to address biodiversity and environmental risks.
The Benchmark also points to key challenges, such as scaling recycled materials and improving traceability to origin. Textile Exchange emphasizes that while industry-wide progress is evident, further alignment and scale will be essential to meet long-term climate and sustainability goals.
→ Read insights and trends from the report
European Textile Recycling Sector Warns of Collapse Without Immediate EU Intervention
The European Recycling Industries and Municipal Waste Europe have issued a joint statement urging EU policymakers to address an “unprecedented crisis” in the textile sorting and recycling sector.
Rising global disruptions—from the war in Ukraine to ultra-fast fashion—have caused an imbalance between supply and demand, with the quality of secondhand textiles decreasing and processing costs skyrocketing.
The groups are calling for swift financial support, investment in recycling technology, and legislative changes, including a revision of the Waste Framework Directive and rapid implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes. Without urgent action, they warn, Europe risks derailing its climate goals and jeopardizing the future of its textile recycling industry.
Industry leaders, like Stacy Flynn, CEO and Co-Founder of textile technology company Evrnu, echo these concerns. In a recent LinkedIn post, Flynn highlighted a “missing middle” funding gap, noting that many promising technologies are at risk due to a lack of mid-stage capital.
“If we lose this critical innovation now, we’re setting back industry modernization by 10-15 years,” Flynn stated, pointing out that without investment, the industry faces delays in sustainable transformation even as demand for low-cost production continues to grow.
Return to Vendor Emerged from Stealth Mode with Recyclable Nylon Collection
New York-based circular textile startup Return to Vendor has officially launched after three years in stealth mode, introducing a capsule collection made entirely from recyclable nylon. Founded by Adam Baruchowitz, William Calvert, and Gangadhar Jogikalmath, the company focuses on monomaterial textiles crafted from nylon-6, sourced from discarded fishing nets and carpets. Using proprietary green chemistry, Return to Vendor’s materials can mimic the performance of traditional blended fabrics while remaining fully recyclable. The company’s “Nylism” campaign showcases the potential for single-material products to drive true circularity in fashion, with collaborations with larger brands expected in 2025 and 2026.
TrusTrace Launched Deforestation Compliance Solution to Support Fashion Brands with EU’s New Regulation
TrusTrace introduced a Deforestation Compliance Solution to help fashion brands achieve traceability for EU-bound products in preparation for the EU’s Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR), expected to take effect in December 2024 or in 2025 if delayed.
The EUDR requires full traceability back to the plot of land to ensure products do not contribute to deforestation. TrusTrace’s solution offers shipment-level traceability, automated data collection, real-time risk assessment through OpenAtlas satellite imagery, and automated due diligence statements, allowing brands to efficiently meet compliance requirements. TrusTrace also encourages brands to obtain FSC Certification to align with EUDR standards.
Primark and WRAP Launched Three-Year Partnership to Extend Clothing Lifespan and Reduce Textile Waste
Through the Primark Cares strategy, the collaboration will focus on improving takeback schemes, understanding consumer behavior, and scaling circularity efforts. The phased project will begin with knowledge mapping and pilot designs, followed by pilot launches, and finally expanding successful models to more stores in the final year (2026-2027). WRAP’s subsidiary, Behavior Change, will contribute expertise in behavioral science to support public engagement in sustainable practices.
H&M Foundation Expanded Global Change Award to Drive Textile Industry Decarbonization
The H&M Foundation has announced a major shift in its strategy to support the textile industry in cutting greenhouse gas emissions by half each decade through 2050. Its Global Change Award (GCA) 2025 is now seeking innovative ideas targeting high-emission areas across the textile value chain, such as sustainable materials, responsible production, and mindful consumption. Moving to a nomination-based process, GCA aims to identify changemakers equipped for systems-level impact. Each of the ten winners will receive €200,000 and participate in a year-long Changemaker Programme with mentors, collaborators, and industry leaders. Applications are open now. Winners will be announced in April 2025.
University of Fukui Developed Sustainable Dye Extraction Process for Textiles
The University of Fukui has created a new method for extracting dyes from textiles using supercritical carbon dioxide, enabling reuse of both the decolorized fabric and the extracted dye. Led by Professors Kazumasa Hirogaki and Teruo Hori, the process achieves over 90% dye removal from polyester with minimal environmental impact. Researchers aim to commercialize this technology to support a circular “make, use, reuse” model in the textile industry, addressing waste and chemical use in textile disposal.
The Social & Labor Convergence Program Updated its HRDD Toolkit to Help Companies in Human Rights Due Diligence
The Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) released an updated edition of its Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Toolkit, first introduced in May 2023. This revised version provides improved guidance on how SLCP's Converged Assessment Framework supports companies in navigating mandatory human rights due diligence in an evolving regulatory landscape. With updates across all sections, the toolkit clarifies the CAF's alignment with the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and offers tailored insights for supply chain actors.
Accelerating Circularity is inviting stakeholders to participate in its 2024 Stakeholder Survey, open until November 30th. Feedback will help shape the tools and resources essential for supporting circularity goals across the industry.
BESTSELLER released its 2023/24 Supply Chain Due Diligence Report, detailing its approach to managing human rights, environmental, and product safety risks within its network of over 350 suppliers and 700 factories.
Lifestyle brand Faherty is now B Corp certified with a score of 85.7, joining the “B1” group of companies that are both B Corp and 1% for the Planet members. To mark this milestone, Faherty released its inaugural impact report, outlining sustainability goals for 2025 and 2030.
Spiber Inc. and Italian mill Zegna Baruffa Lane Borgosesia announced the continuation of their partnership focused on developing yarns that combine Spiber’s Brewed Protein™ fiber with Responsible Wool Standard merino wool.
Zara launched its “Pre-Owned” platform in the U.S., marking the first expansion of its circularity initiative outside Europe.
By Rotation is celebrating its fifth anniversary with House of ByRo, a large-scale fashion rental pop-up in Mayfair, London. Open through December 31, the space will feature workshops and events aimed at engaging the By Rotation community in sustainable fashion.
Consumers say they care about sustainability, but they aren’t willing to pay for it—here’s what brands can do.
Have thoughts on this week’s news? We’d love to hear from you! Share your take in the comments, let us know if there’s news we missed, and join the conversation around the future of sustainable fashion.
United States:
Quince | Head of ESG | San Francisco, CA | Remote・Full-Time・Executive | $170K/yr - $180K/yr → Apply Here
Columbia Sportswear Company | Sr Social Responsibility Specialist | Portland, OR | Hybrid・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level → Apply Here
Victoria’s Secret & Co. | Summer 2025 ESG Internship with Victoria's Secret & Co. | Reynoldsburg, OH | On-Site・Full-Time | $23/hr → Apply Here
Europe:
MUD Jeans | Sustainability Manager Intern | Laren, North Holland, Netherlands | On-Site・Full-Time → Apply Here
Bestseller | Reporting & Transparency Coordinator | Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands | On-Site・Full-time → Apply Here
H&M Group | Head of Sustainability Engagement at H&M Group Sustainability Department | On-Site・Full-Time・Mid-Senior Level → Apply Here
Jimmy Choo | Sustainability and Compliance Advisor | Tuscany, Italy | Hybrid・Full-Time・Associate→ Apply Here
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I’m really excited about Trove’s new plugin!
Having new and pre-owned items available side by side in the same shopping experience is going to be a game changer!
I’m curious how this will impact consumer choices.
As a psych nerd, 🤓 not only does Trove’s plugin increase the visibility of secondhand options—making them a regular part of the shopping experience—but it can also help overcome status quo bias, gradually shifting purchasing decisions toward sustainability.
Looking forward to seeing how it plays out!