Reusing materials
Slow the fashion cycle
Choose items made with repurposed materials and help give old fabrics a new life.
Circularity in fashion
Recycling isn't just for rubbish
Right now, only 1% of textiles feed back into the production of new clothing. Circular fashion aims to reduce this waste and allow materials to live longer, which encourages manufacturers to get creative. Many have increased their use of recycled materials, while others have developed bio-based materials that incorporate everything from orange peels to pineapple leaves.
Right now, only 1% of textiles feed back into the production of new clothing. Circular fashion aims to reduce this waste and allow materials to live longer, which encourages manufacturers to get creative. Many have increased their use of recycled materials, while others have developed bio-based materials that incorporate everything from orange peels to pineapple leaves.Circularity in fashion
Recycling isn't just for rubbish
Right now, only 1% of textiles feed back into the production of new clothing. Circular fashion aims to reduce this waste and allow materials to live longer, which encourages manufacturers to get creative. Many have increased their use of recycled materials, while others have developed bio-based materials that incorporate everything from orange peels to pineapple leaves.
Right now, only 1% of textiles feed back into the production of new clothing. Circular fashion aims to reduce this waste and allow materials to live longer, which encourages manufacturers to get creative. Many have increased their use of recycled materials, while others have developed bio-based materials that incorporate everything from orange peels to pineapple leaves.
Browse your values
Reusing materials
Background check
Sustainability criteria you can trust
Look for certificates like these to see which items have been verified according to specific sustainability criteria. The ones here relate to the use of recycled, upcycled and innovative materials. Products with these labels are contributing to a more circular approach to fashion.
Made with recycled materials
Products with this label are made with a specified amount of recycled material. This is verified through the use of a third-party recycling standard or trademarked material, or through a brand's own recycling program.
There are three levels:
- Made with 30-50% recycled materials
- Made with 50-70% recycled materials
- Made with 70-100% recycled materials
Made with at least 20% recycled cotton
By using at least 20% recycled cotton over virgin cotton, this item was made using less water, dye, energy and waste.
GRS - Global Recycle Standard
The Global Recycle Standard is one of the leading and most trusted certifications for products made from recycled content. Products with this label are made with at least 50% recycled content and every stage of the supply chain is independently certified, to ensure environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing all the way to the final product.
Made with at least 20% innovative materials upcycled from waste
This item is made with at least 20% bio-based materials, such as orange peel, coffee grounds, or even fish skin. The result? You help drive innovation in the fashion industry and give new life to materials that would otherwise go in the trash.
Behind the criteria
How we set our standards
We want to drive positive change in the fashion industry by highlighting products that exceed our sustainability standards.
To determine these standards, we use data from independent certifications and the Higg Material Sustainability Index. The Higg MSI is the industry's most comprehensive tool for measuring the environmental impact of materials. These help us identify products that are leading the way, as well as opportunities for improvement. Our ultimate aim is to provide transparent and trustworthy information that enables you to make more sustainable choices.
Tips and tricks
Make your clothes live longer
It’s no secret that when you take good care of your items, they last longer. Only wash as needed on a gentle cycle, repair them when broken, and donate or trade them in when no longer needed. Someone else will give your old favourites a new home.
Pre-owned fashion
Material reuse, item reuse
Did you know you can buy and sell pre-owned items on Zalando? Doing so extends the life of existing items, reduces demand for new materials, and helps build a more circular fashion industry.
Did you know you can buy and sell pre-owned items on Zalando? Doing so extends the life of existing items, reduces demand for new materials, and helps build a more circular fashion industry.Pre-owned fashion
Material reuse, item reuse
Did you know you can buy and sell pre-owned items on Zalando? Doing so extends the life of existing items, reduces demand for new materials, and helps build a more circular fashion industry.
Did you know you can buy and sell pre-owned items on Zalando? Doing so extends the life of existing items, reduces demand for new materials, and helps build a more circular fashion industry.
Our commitment
Reusing materials
We're committed to creating a less wasteful, more circular, future of fashion. By finding pre-owned items new homes, we aim to extend the life of at least 50 million products by 2023. A more sustainable approach to packaging is also in the works.
We're committed to creating a less wasteful, more circular, future of fashion. By finding pre-owned items new homes, we aim to extend the life of at least 50 million products by 2023. A more sustainable approach to packaging is also in the works.Our commitment
Reusing materials
We're committed to creating a less wasteful, more circular, future of fashion. By finding pre-owned items new homes, we aim to extend the life of at least 50 million products by 2023. A more sustainable approach to packaging is also in the works.
We're committed to creating a less wasteful, more circular, future of fashion. By finding pre-owned items new homes, we aim to extend the life of at least 50 million products by 2023. A more sustainable approach to packaging is also in the works.
