Debrand, a reverse logistics textile solutions provider, has received a strategic investment from WM. This is the first strategic investment made by WM in textile recycling. Leveraging Debrand's expertise and technology, WM expects to offer new textile recycling capabilities and provide circular solutions across North America. The investment will help Debrand grow. The terms of the investment agreement were not disclosed.
Debrand specializes in reverse logistics for the fashion and retail industry. The company is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, and its customers include Lululemon Athletica, Canada Goose, Aritzia, Kit and Ace, IKEA Canada, and Everlane.
"We work with our customers to unlock the highest value for their products by extending the products' life through reuse or recycling," says Amelia Eleiter, co-founder of Debrand. "Not only will WM's investment allow us to integrate our solutions at scale across North America, but we will also be able to empower new and existing customers to run efficient and profitable circular systems."
This year, Debrand is projected to divert nearly 1,000 tons of used textiles (125 percent year-over-year growth), from landfills through resale, recycling, and repurposing channels. The investment from WM will accelerate Debrand's plans to grow its operations, capabilities, customer network, and team.
"Our customers are looking for ways to reduce waste from their operations, enhance their sustainability reporting, and accelerate the transition to a circular economy," says Eric Dixon, vice president of sustainability and environmental solutions at WM. "WM, in turn, is continuing to adapt to meet these needs and become a true sustainability partner to our customers.
"After working with Debrand, we recognized the immense value of their cutting-edge textile allocation technology that has enabled us to enhance sortation and divert our customers' textile waste from landfills into circular solutions. Over 17 million tons of used textile waste are generated annually in the U.S., and our investment in Debrand will help rapidly grow and scale textile solutions and innovation across North America."
Significant demand and growth are expected for Debrand's reverse logistics textile solutions in response to climate change and the movement toward a circular economy. The fashion industry is one of the highest producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally, and a growing number of brands have committed to adopting circular strategies to reduce GHG emissions that derive from producing fibres and raw materials.
