After collecting, the discarded fibres are thoroughly cleaned, sorted and prepared to be spun into new yarns. Then, they are seamlessly knitted on specialist circular machines, reducing production waste. Each of these pieces is designed for further recyclability at end-of-life, by eliminating any trims, such as buttons and zips, and using a single fibre type.
Step one:Customers drop off their pre-loved garments in any John Lewis shop to be resold or recycled using our FashionCycle scheme. For every bag dropped off, My John Lewis members get £5 off a £50 Fashion Rental voucher.
Customers drop off their pre-loved garments in any John Lewis shop to be resold or recycled using our FashionCycle scheme. For every bag dropped off, My John Lewis members get £5 off a £50 Fashion Rental voucher.
Step two:John Lewis’ FashionCycle partner, Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL), then collects the donations, combining them with donations from other UK sources, and sorts the garments that are suitable for recycling. Using their leading Fibresort Technology, they separate the wool fibres.
John Lewis’ FashionCycle partner, Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL), then collects the donations, combining them with donations from other UK sources, and sorts the garments that are suitable for recycling. Using their leading Fibresort Technology, they separate the wool fibres.
Step three:Once the wool garments are sorted, they travel to iinouiio, an expert textile recycler in Yorkshire, where they are cleaned, pulled, colour-matched and blended with other waste wool to prepare them for re-spinning.
Once the wool garments are sorted, they travel to iinouiio, an expert textile recycler in Yorkshire, where they are cleaned, pulled, colour-matched and blended with other waste wool to prepare them for re-spinning.
Step four:Z. Hinchcliffe & Sons, our yarn spinners, then transform the recycled fibres into new recycled wool yarn by blending bespoke shades, spinning, twisting, and waxing.
Z. Hinchcliffe & Sons, our yarn spinners, then transform the recycled fibres into new recycled wool yarn by blending bespoke shades, spinning, twisting, and waxing.
Step 5:Expert knitters, Skinwear Ltd, knit the new yarn using waste-reducing circular knitting machines, individually hand-numbering each unique piece they create.
Expert knitters, Skinwear Ltd, knit the new yarn using waste-reducing circular knitting machines, individually hand-numbering each unique piece they create.
The new yarns are spun less than 15 miles from our Leeds shop.
The garments are knitted less than 14 miles from our Leicester shop.
Each shade is carefully blended to a precise and bespoke recipe, mixed from the colours available within the recycled fibre. There is no dyeing in this process.
“We’re so excited to introduce what we believe is a first among major UK high street retailers. Our collaboration with expert recycling and manufacturing partners truly champions great British craft, bold design and circular principles alike, showcasing what’s possible when we work together.” – Megan Lovesey, John Lewis Knitwear Buyer
"Skinwear Ltd has long been at the UK forefront of efficient, sustainable garment manufacture with its seamless knitting machines and focus on natural fibres. The use of recycled fibres finally closes the loop, and at last customers can choose to wear clothing made in the UK using truly environmentally-friendly processes." - Ian Davenport, Owner, Skinwear Ltd
“Traditional Yorkshire wool recycling offers the potential for very significant environmental savings, such as energy, water and pollution, but the process of creating a new product can be complex. One of my many sayings is that "a bag of waste is a bag of mystery", which in this case has been unravelled, initially drawing on our long-held traditions at iinouiio, but also through a landmark supply chain collaboration with UK partners.” – Dr. John G. Parkinson, iinouiio Co-Founder
“We are honoured to play a role in this groundbreaking collaboration. Closed Loop is more than an initiative - it proves that British fashion businesses can lead the circular economy - transforming worn clothing and textiles into stunning new products, ready to begin their life all over again.” – Bernie Thomas, Circular Economy and Sustainability Manager, SATCoL
The aim is to design and create products with 3 key factors in mind.
- Materiality: using materials that come from recycled or more sustainable sources
- Durability: creating durable products that stand the test of time (e.g. using stronger stitching for seams)
- Recyclability: making products that are easier to recycle once their usability comes to an end (e.g. being made from one material so the recycling process is simplified)
We’re not where we want to be yet but we’re on the way. Redesigned and developed, these everyday Home and Fashion products are just the beginning.
The cashmere jumper100% of the cashmere in this product is Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) certified. The SFA's work helps to improve the welfare of cashmere goats, protect rangelands and secure herder livelihoods. The SFA certification is also an assurance that this cashmere has been processed without the use of hazardous chemicals.
Find out how to care for your cashmere and where it comes from here.
100% of the cashmere in this product is Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) certified. The SFA's work helps to improve the welfare of cashmere goats, protect rangelands and secure herder livelihoods. The SFA certification is also an assurance that this cashmere has been processed without the use of hazardous chemicals.
Find out how to care for your cashmere and where it comes from here.
The pyjamas100% organic cotton, these pyjamas will last through 100s of ZZZs and can be recycled easily after plenty of snoozes, sleeps and slumbers. We’ve swapped out an elastic waistband for a simple fabric tie and removed the plastic strap adjusters from the cami top, all with the aim of recyclability after a long and comfortable lifespan.
Did you know you can get rewarded for recycling with FashionCycle? Save £5 on fashion buys when you bring in 5 items of pre-loved clothing.
100% organic cotton, these pyjamas will last through 100s of ZZZs and can be recycled easily after plenty of snoozes, sleeps and slumbers. We’ve swapped out an elastic waistband for a simple fabric tie and removed the plastic strap adjusters from the cami top, all with the aim of recyclability after a long and comfortable lifespan.
Did you know you can get rewarded for recycling with FashionCycle? Save £5 on fashion buys when you bring in 5 items of pre-loved clothing.
The baby sleepsuit Tested to higher durability standards, this sleepsuit is made to be passed on. It’s made with 100% undyed organic cotton that’s soft on baby’s delicate skin and features a recycled polyester 2-way zip and thread.
Designed with even more care, recycling this sleepsuit is easier as it’s made from just one fabric.
Tested to higher durability standards, this sleepsuit is made to be passed on. It’s made with 100% undyed organic cotton that’s soft on baby’s delicate skin and features a recycled polyester 2-way zip and thread.
Designed with even more care, recycling this sleepsuit is easier as it’s made from just one fabric.
The duvet and pillowsThese duvets and pillows make a comfortable choice in more ways than one. Sonicseam technology achieves neater edging with no risk of fraying, increasing durability and meaning that you can cuddle up night after night, season after season.
Made with 100% recycled polyester filling, the outers are made from 100% polyester, making them easier to recycle once their time finally comes to an end.
These duvets and pillows make a comfortable choice in more ways than one. Sonicseam technology achieves neater edging with no risk of fraying, increasing durability and meaning that you can cuddle up night after night, season after season.
Made with 100% recycled polyester filling, the outers are made from 100% polyester, making them easier to recycle once their time finally comes to an end.
The mattressMade with recycled polyester and designed to be turned and rotated with the seasons, this mattress is filled on both sides for optimum longevity. And, when it’s reached the end of its life, recycling this mattress is easier due to its design.
Did you know we can recycle your old mattress? Each one will be broken down into its constituent parts and around 98% of this material will be recycled.
Made with recycled polyester and designed to be turned and rotated with the seasons, this mattress is filled on both sides for optimum longevity. And, when it’s reached the end of its life, recycling this mattress is easier due to its design.
Did you know we can recycle your old mattress? Each one will be broken down into its constituent parts and around 98% of this material will be recycled.
