The Or Foundation, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex launch the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC) in response to the impacts of post-consumer textile exports.
The coalition will explore how producer responsibility systems can support circular pathways, such as reuse, upcycling, recycling, and responsible waste management, in countries that receive large volumes of exported second-hand apparel.
Over the next two years, the ARC, with support from Circle Economy, will build and test a producer responsibility blueprint that reflects the global nature of post-consumer textile flows.
The coalition will engage brands, producer responsibility organisations, sorters, recyclers, policymakers and affected communities as part of the blueprint.
Producer responsibility systems are largely tied to the primary markets where products are first sold, while many post-consumer textiles cross borders and their impacts are felt elsewhere.
Around 1.4 million metric tons of used textiles are exported from the EU annually, mainly to countries in Africa and Asia, according to the European Environment Agency.
ARC was launched at Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana, one of the world’s largest hubs for second-hand clothing reuse, repair, and upcycling. The Or Foundation estimates that the market recirculates 25 million garments each month.
As its first demonstration project, ARC will explore how producer responsibility contributions can help strengthen Ghana’s existing circular textile ecosystem.
Through the project, the Or Foundation will continue to organise and implement initiatives across Accra, such as improvements to infrastructure at Kantamanto Market, environmental remediation, and training programmes.
As a second step, ARC intends to add at least one additional demonstration project in another recipient country.
The coalition hopes the evidence and practical learnings generated through the projects will help inform brands, policymakers, producer responsibility organisations (PROs), and other stakeholders working to strengthen post-consumer textile management systems worldwide.
From 2026 to 2027, adidas, BESTSELLER, H&M Group, and Inditex will make voluntary contributions to fund circular economy activities in second-hand markets.
