American footwear giant Timberland recently launched a new take-back program called ‘Timberloop’. Customers are invited to return their used Timberland footwear, apparel and accessories so they can either be refurbished or disassembled and upcycled (remanufactured) (Timberland, 2022).

The fast fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world (Allwood et al., 2006). 48 million tones of clothing are disposed worldwide every year. 73% are incinerated, 12% is reused, 12% is downcycled, and only less then 1% is turned into new clothes.

Timberland’s Timberloop goal is to create a fully closed loop. Timberloop was launched in partnership with ReCircled, a company that has extensive technical and business expertise on the infrastructure and logistical requirements for launching circular business models in the fashion sector. Timberland is also redesigning its shoes to make them easier to take apart, using adhesives that are easier to dissolve, and developing stitching techniques that will make them easier to disassemble, which will ultimately mean ReCircled will require less time and effort to separate their component materials. The initiative was first launched in the US, with the intention of expanding to European and Asian markets after success.

Customers can return old Timberland products in any condition to Timberland, and get a discount voucher for their next purchase. The old products are then given a new life. Customers can drop off old Timberland products in designated drop-off boxes at Timberland stores. Alternatively, they can also send the products using a pre-paid shipping label that Timberland provides. Customers get a 10% off voucher that can be used in the Timberland stores. These products will be collected and shipped to Timberland’s recycling partner, ReCircled, to be processed.

Products that are in good condition will be refurbished and resold on a soon-to-be launched secondhand website that’s part of Timberland’s main site. Products beyond repair will be taken apart, so each part—from the leather to the plastic sole to the metal components—can be recycled.

There are no reported environmental benefits yet since the initiative was launched in January 2022, and is still in its early stages. Through this new initiative, Timberland is also exploring future circular product innovation categories, such as shoes that are designed for disassembly (the Timberloop Trekker), the use of regenerative leather, etc..

Photograph from Flickr by eyxy