Major fashion brands Adidas, H&M Group, Inditex and Bestseller have launched the Apparel Recovery Coalition (ARC) to tackle global textile waste and strengthen circular fashion systems.

The two-year initiative brings together fashion companies, Ghana-based nonprofit The Or Foundation and circular economy organisation Circle Economy. It aims to develop practical solutions for textile reuse, recycling and waste management.

Ghana’s Kantamanto Market Takes Centre Stage

The coalition was launched at Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana. According to The Or Foundation, the market recirculates approximately 25 million garments every month.

The market supports thousands of traders, repairers and other workers who extend the life of secondhand clothing. However, garments that cannot be reused or recovered can contribute to pollution and place additional pressure on local waste management systems.

ARC plans to support an initial demonstration project in Accra. The project will focus on infrastructure improvements, environmental remediation and training. A second project is planned for another country that receives large volumes of secondhand clothing.

Fashion Brands to Support Textile Recovery

The participating brands will provide voluntary financial contributions to fund the coalition’s demonstration projects. However, the total funding commitment has not been disclosed.

ARC will also test a business model based on extended producer responsibility (EPR). This approach encourages or requires producers to take greater financial or operational responsibility for products after consumers discard them.

The coalition will bring together brands, recyclers, sorting companies, policymakers and local communities to identify practical solutions. Its findings could help shape future textile recovery policies and industry practices.

Circular Fashion and Accountability Gain Importance

The initiative comes amid growing scrutiny of fashion production, resource consumption and waste generation. Although reuse and recycling can reduce textile waste, long-term progress also depends on product durability, material choices and responsible production.

ARC aims to develop approaches that reflect international textile trade flows and the needs of communities handling discarded clothing. Its results could help policymakers and industry stakeholders improve waste management systems across borders.

The success of the initiative will depend on whether its pilot projects deliver measurable environmental benefits and scalable funding models. For the global fashion industry, the coalition marks another step towards greater accountability and a more circular textile value chain.