Extra Petite x Garment Recycling with H&M

YouTube video
As longtime readers know, H&M; is one of my favorite places to shop for petite-friendly work and casual wear. They asked me to share about their global garment recycling effort, focused on not letting fashion go to waste. As mentioned in the video, all H&M; stores internationally now offer garment collection recycling services – anyone can bring up to 2 bags of clothing per day and get a 15% off one item voucher per bag donated. And if you bring in unwanted clothes before March 31st, you’ll receive 15% off your entire purchase and a chance to win multiple prizes. I usually just discard items that are damaged or falling apart, so am happy to hear that garments of any condition are accepted.

Please let me know if you have any questions from the video, or find out more details on www.HMconscious.com. If you end up participating, I’d love to hear about it! Please include #LongLiveFashion when sharing via Twitter or Instagram.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by H&M; for Style Coalition.

When you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

When you purchase through the links on this blog, I may earn a commission. Thank you for your support!

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62 Comments

  1. Anonymous wrote:

    Great thanks! 🙂

    Posted 3.18.13 Reply
  2. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean,

    I have just found your youtube channel throughwhile surfing the internet. I love your videos. You said in this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZxH6rGv2ac that you will make Part 2 of the Building a professional wardrobe. Have you posted it? I couldn't find it in your channel. If you haven't, please make it. I am looking forwards to it.

    Thank you for posting the H&M; recycling program. I will check if my local store participate in it.

    Have a good night and don;t forget about the professional wardrobe.

    Have a sweet dream.

    AnotherAsianGal

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  3. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Would love to hear what these sites are – please do feel free to share!

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  4. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Thanks so much, Kasey! I think everyone has something they do when speaking wihle nervous, and the "um" habit especially is a hard one to break. Mine is excessive hand gestures : )

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  5. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    So nice to her from a fellow Bostonian! Thank you for your kind words. I used to go to Hemmingway Tailors in Belmont, but haven't recently as I've been trying to do most of my own alterations.

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  6. Anonymous wrote:

    Oh this is great, Great for H&M; to do, and for you to share, Thanks, Jean! >>Americans throw away about 70 pounds of clothes per person, per year.<<
    Swapping, or "swishing" (google it) clothing is a great way to recycle and get "new" clothing. i do it both locally (there is a xs adult clothing swap group near me =)and at various online sites. i won't plug them, but i highly suggest y'all consider the idea of less consumption and sustainability. peace!

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  7. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi there – are there any specifics on what you'd like to see? If so I'll keep them in mind!

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  8. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi Mel! It's from ASOS petites a year ago, but they often have similar style items.

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  9. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi there – I was told by H&M; that it is in every single one of their stores globally.

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  10. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi Lu – I believe the bag size is not strict, so you can probably use a regular grocery bag as a "standard."

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  11. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi Jessica! The only tip I have (which isn't really a novel one) is to layer multiple items on one hanger – I have a sheath dress, maybe a pair of pants, blouse, or cardigan, plus a blazer on each hanger.

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  12. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hey Abby – I've definitely thought about that! For the time being, a large hamper is taking up that lower space : )

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  13. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi ladies – thanks for taking the time to say hello and getting your questions out there. I passed all of them along and they responded that everything that happens to the garments post-collection at H&M; stores is managed by I:Collect and their website is at http://www.ico-spirit.com/de/startseite/. This site has some info on what I Collect may do with the items depending on their condition: http://www.hm.com/us/longlivefashion#path=1.1.1&transition;=10&duration;=500

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  14. PetiteAsianGirl wrote:

    Hi Vicky, the voucher is good for 30 days (possibly more) I believe…I saw one but forget the exact expiration but it does not have to be used on the same day.

    Posted 3.17.13 Reply
  15. Anonymous wrote:

    Yes, I feel that this cause is a bit dubious. Love this blog, but sorry H&M;, I'm not quite buying it. Even if they send them to Goodwill, they can claim an exorbitant cost on those clothing and use them as tax breaks. They can claim the donation as theirs while the customer is left with a measly 15% off one item or purchase (but let's face it, it's rare someone spends hundreds and hundreds of dollars there).

    Posted 3.16.13 Reply
  16. Joy wrote:

    great video, very clear and organized! & thanks for the reminder, I do need to clean out my closet!

    shortandsweetjoy

    Posted 3.16.13 Reply
  17. Kasey wrote:

    After watching many of your videos I just have to tell you how great of a speaker you are. So casual yet so professional. I've never heard you say "Um" in any of your videos and I'm always impressed by that. 🙂
    Just thought I'd let you know. Also, great cause!

    Posted 3.16.13 Reply
  18. JT.P. wrote:

    Hi Jean! I just happened to stumble upon your blog when I Googled "best brands for petites." Your work is already so helpful and informative and you are absolutely stunning! Looking forward to perusing around a bit more and future posts! Love the pics..some of the scenery is familiar! I live in the Boston area too. P.S. Where do you go for alterations?
    Warmly
    Janice

    Posted 3.16.13 Reply
  19. JT.P. wrote:

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Posted 3.16.13 Reply
  20. mel wrote:

    Hi Jean,

    Thanks for the informative post. I was wondering where the dress you are wearing in this post is from?

    Thanks!

    Posted 3.16.13 Reply
  21. hongnhung wrote:

    Would u make a closet tour and some fashion tips for us?

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  22. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean, thanks for the video! Do you know if this also applies to H&M; in Singapore? I can't seem to find any info abt it on the Singapore website, thanks!

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  23. lisacng @ expandng.com wrote:

    Thanks for sharing! I'm glad it doesn't have to be a full bag! I love your necklace!

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  24. andrea wrote:

    That's an amazing deal! I'll be stopping by H&M; this weekend! Thanks for sharing!

    xoxo,
    Andrea

    http://www.andreaeveryday.com

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  25. Candice wrote:

    Thanks for sharing the information with us, Jean. Very impressive on how you utilize your small closet space. I'd love to see you model the onesie before you donate it. haha!

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  26. Lu Yan wrote:

    Did they mention the size of the bag? I typically put unwanted clothes in our big trash bag for donation. I saw you used a grocery bag which is much smaller….

    It seems I'm the only one with this question. Is everybody automatically pretty clear about the bag size?

    Thanks for posting this. Great idea! I'm all for thrift, exchange. Let's make less and reuse.

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  27. Renee Wilson wrote:

    Me and childrens jeans are a killer! I understand completely LOL!

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  28. Jessica G. wrote:

    Thanks for sharing this great program by H&M.; I"m impressed with how you utilize your shared small closet space with your boyfriend. If you have any tips to share on how you do it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  29. Manon wrote:

    I like your outfit (and your hair looks so smooth!) – but not as much as the pink one-piece

    Manon

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  30. AubreyOhDang! wrote:

    hair is on point girl. love the skittles necklace too

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  31. FashionEdible wrote:

    Great video! What a great idea to get rid of unwanted clothing.

    Posted 3.15.13 Reply
  32. Steffi wrote:

    Your closet is sooo tidy. I'm always curious to know how many pieces of clothing others have.

    Using that logic, I have to get rid of 3/4 of my wardrobe :O I've been seriously thinking about extreme spring cleaning and this might be the final push I need. I like the idea of having a well curated closet. Of course, we have no H&M; in Australia. I might just sell stuffs off and donate to my regular charity : )

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  33. Anonymous wrote:

    I love the concept of an "unhaul"!! Thank you, Jean!

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  34. Anonymous wrote:

    Wow, what a great idea! I guess I'll be stopping by my local H&M; soon… 😉

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  35. jules wrote:

    awesome idea! thanks for letting us know about it jean!

    xo julesinflats.com

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  36. Anonymous wrote:

    I immediately wondered the same thing as you two – what happens to the clothes? Do they send them to Goodwill? Do they shred them up and make rugs and rags? Do they use them as building insulation? Do they sell them to sub-Saharan Africa as Anon above mentioned? I'm glad I'm not the first to notice this.

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  37. Carlene: Healthfully Ever After wrote:

    So glad to hear about this! I've really made a concentrated effort to get rid of what I don't need and ponder what my wardrobe is missing. Perfect!

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  38. Laura wrote:

    I love this idea! I'm going to get to my Spring cleaning in my closet asap! Thanks for sharing, Jean!

    xo Laura

    http://www.losofancy.blogspot.com

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  39. Abby wrote:

    Thanks for the info, Jean.

    What's going through my mind now is that if I were you, I would raise that one rack in your closet a little so that I could put a second one underneath…Maybe just on one side so you would still have room to hang dresses in little section. But I guess it is good to live simply. 🙂

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  40. Jessy wrote:

    I'm a huge fan of this campaign and was so excited when they announced it a few months ago! The coupon was $5 at the beginning of the launch and I'm guessing they changed it to 15% since the campaign is so popular! I've been slowly going through my closet to find items to donate. It feels good to get started on spring cleaning : )

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  41. Assaba Linda A. wrote:

    Thanks for raising this point; I'm from Sub-Saharan Africa and I know exactly what you're referring to. While I live in the US now, I remember my mom buying such clothes for me as a kid and as a teenager. They were also seen as "cooler" than clothes made with our own textiles by our own seamstresses, because, you know, those clothes came from Europe and the US. Now that I live in the US, I have so much more appreciation for fashion from back home. And I have been amazed at how popular (and expensive) African print is abroad.

    That said. H&M;'s recycling efforts are a good thing; but I'll definitely be inquiring about where the clothes are going!

    P.S. Hi Jean! *Waves hand excitedly* I'm a long-time follower and first-time (I think?) commentor. I discovered your blog (along with other petite-friendly bloggers that seem to be in your circle) about a year or so ago. I was so happy to find a community of 00P/XXSP women just like me. Your fashion tips have been oh so valuable. You have no idea what a difference it's made in the way I view and feel about fashion and shopping for clothes. 🙂 Thank you.

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  42. Jackie wrote:

    I'm definitely doing this! Also, your hair looks great in this video. 🙂

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  43. Anonymous wrote:

    LOVE the video!!! Thank you for sharing this with us. I will most definitely be bringing an un-haul to H&M; thanks to you 🙂

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  44. Fauxionista wrote:

    I've actually been gathering my clothes and will be making a trip to H&M; soon!

    fauxionista.com

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  45. The Budget Babe wrote:

    so profesh J! i have a small closet too (house was built in 1937 before people had ginormous quantities of clothing lol) but like you, it helps me EDIT and stick to essential pieces I actually wear.

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  46. Anonymous wrote:

    Hi Jean, I'm a big fan and long time reader of your blog.
    Did you ask H&M;/do you have any idea what happens to the clothes once they "recycle" them for you? Selling second hand clothing to (mostly) Sub-Saharan countries is a huge industry that makes lots of money and destroys local textile industry because it is way cheaper than any (quality) product that can be produced locally.
    The information presented on the website HMconscious makes one wonder… they don't say what they actually do when they recycle the product. It doesn't seem very conscious to me, rather misleading. Please let me know if you know more about it. Cheers, Katharina

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  47. Vicky wrote:

    I second Ping here. 🙂
    This is a great program H&M; is running, and I'm so glad you share it with us. Do you know how long a voucher is good for typically? (Does it have to be used the same day of your donation?)

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  48. Sydne Summer wrote:

    Great job Jean! And obsessed with your necklace. Beautiful!

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  49. Kathleen Lisson wrote:

    Thanks for getting the word out about this program!

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply
  50. Ping wrote:

    HAHAHA! the onesie! I need to see you in it before you donate.

    Posted 3.14.13 Reply

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