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How Conscious Is H&M Conscious? The Worst of Fast Fashion

h&m conscious

H&M, a fast fashion company, is notorious for its exploitative practices and is featured in almost every list of brands most harmful to the environment. But are they really that bad?

Sometimes, fast fashion brands also try to adopt sustainable practices and trends via their lineup. With their new H&M conscious line, they are focusing on being eco-friendly and ethical, right? Well, spoiler alert. They really aren’t. In fact, they are comfortably practicing the age-old tactic of hoodwinking customers through greenwashing.

So now the question arises. Is H&M conscious sustainable? What exactly is this lineup about? Is it as conscious as it claims to be? Let’s delve into the many secrets and trickeries of big corporates like H&M.

What is H&M conscious collection?

h&m conscious collection
From H&M Ad Campaign

While I was scrolling through H&M’s website, I came across something very intriguing. The H&M conscious collection. I was pleasantly surprised. Is H&M finally giving eco-friendly consumers like me a sustainable alternative? Can I finally wear the latest fast fashion trends while also not harming the environment?

According to H&M’s website, products in their conscious line contain at least 50% of sustainable materials such as recycled polyester or organic cotton. By buying these products, you the consumer, earn conscious points. By the way, you can use these points to earn discounts on other products.

H&M also launches a Conscious Exclusive collection twice a year in which they incorporate new eco-friendly materials and technologies which are then used in their main collection. They introduced three new fabrics in 2020: Hemp Biofibre, made from oilseed hemp crop waste, Naia Renew, a cellulosic fibre and Vegea, vegan leather made from grapes.

Well, that sounds pretty good. Big corporations are finally realizing the errors of their ways and laying down the building blocks towards a more sustainable future. But trust me guys, behind the curtains, the situation is entirely different.

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How sustainable is H&M conscious?

I am not blindly being a skeptic. It is unfortunately a fact that big corporates like H&M are purely driven by profits and do little to nothing to save the environment. Because, well exploitative and unethical means of production are way more profitable than sustainable ones.

According to a report in June 2021 titled “Synthetic Anonymous“, H&M’s conscious line has allegedly been found to contain a higher percentage of damaging synthetic materials compared to its main line. Moreover, the report identified H&M as the worst offender when it comes to false green claims with 96% false claims.

h&m conscious sustainable

H&M reported that 90% of its recycled polyester comes from single-use plastic bottles. Except, this is also a false solution created by big brands to lure you into believing they are ethical. Once recycled plastic is turned into clothes, it cannot be recycled again. Essentially, these clothes will now either be dumped in landfills, incinerated, or thrown away in nature. All of this is extremely detrimental to the environment. Secondly, by turning plastic bottles into clothes, you are removing them from the circular recycling loops wherein they can be used as plastic bottles again. Plastic bottles can be reused multiple times (unlike when used to make clothes) reducing the production of virgin single-use plastic for creating new bottles. Finally, the use of these plastics does not stop the much bigger issue of microplastics that are shed during cloth production that are highly polluting to the ocean, the air around us as well and the food we consume.

H&M’s recycling program is also not without its flaws. While they confidently state in a myriad of their ads that they will use fabrics donated to them to create new clothes, the reality is that only 35% of donated garments are actually utilized. Most of their clothes consist of blended materials that don’t break down easily, like a studded sweater containing 52% polyester, 41% acrylic, 4% wool, 3% elastane. Donated clothes are more often than not resold in markets in countries like Kenya or dumped in landfills. In fact, only 0.7% of the clothes manufactured by H&M were recycled material according to their own report in 2018, essentially proving that even their recycling program is not really sustainable.

While H&M confidently states in its ad campaigns that it aims to reduce waste and that we, the consumers can help them do so by shopping from their conscious line, the reality is that shopping from H&M doesn’t reduce waste but adds to it. Most of the products in the Conscious line are made of blended materials such as polyester, acrylic, wool etc. which do not break down easily. These products will not be recycled but end up in a landfill (as plastic recycled for clothes cannot be recycled again) and so your noble quest to shop more sustainably goes quite literally to waste.

If brands were truly sustainable, they would discourage consumerism and overconsumption. However, H&M does not want that. They want to earn as much profit as they can. In fact, their entire existence relies on customers buying more than they need which is why their conscious line is marketed in such a way as to tempt you into consuming more. According to research by the Stern Center for Sustainable Business, products marketed as being sustainable sell much faster than products that are not. Through tactics like conscious points and vouchers, H&M is leading you to consume more and more. They use conscious points to lure customers into purchasing not only garments from their supposedly sustainable line but also their low-quality fast fashion clothing designed not to last.

The H&M conscious collection has been criticized by Norway’s consumer watchdog in 2019 for their misleading marketing tactics and for providing insufficient information on the sustainability of its collection. H&M has also repeatedly been accused of greenwashing.

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Is HM conscious Greenwashing?

h&m conscious
From IMDB Site: The Simpsons S8 E21

In an episode of Simpsons titled ‘The Old Man and The Lisa’, the evil millionaire Mr. Burns decides to promote recycling in order to reinstate his business empire. All the townspeople including Lisa Simpson, an environmental activist help him in his noble cause. However, when taking a tour of his factory, Lisa is appalled to witness that he has been using recycled material in order to catch fish and other sea creatures to sell slurries. She realizes that when he tries to be good, he is even more evil and damaging to the planet which is basically what profit-hungry brands like H&M are like.

Greenwashing in simpler terms is when a company advertises its products and policies as being eco-friendly while continuing its exploitative practices behind the curtains. It is a form of manipulation and trickery taking advantage of consumer’s shifting preference towards environmentally conscious brands. Motivated by the incentive to make profits, boost sales, and preserve brand relevance in a changing world, companies blow their budget on amazing marketing instead of actually doing anything to build a sustainable business model. What’s worse is that most of these companies abuse the rise of eco-consciousness to conceal the more harmful aspects of production that go on behind the scenes such as poor labor conditions, animal abuse, and environmental degradation. Of course, the more they do this the better they get at deceiving you.

H&M is notorious for its abysmal labour conditions exploiting children, underpaying workers, and subjecting its labourers to horrific unsafe conditions. As something that markets itself as ‘conscious’, is it not H&M’s duty to safeguard its workers? In 2018, H&M had 4.3 billion dollars worth of unsold clothes which was 7% more than the year before. H&M disposes of this unsold inventory by incinerating them to make way for the newer fashion trends. Again, for a company that unrelentlessly advertises how green it is and how it is trying to reduce waste, its actions are completely contradictory.

h&m conscious collection

H&M is a pro at manipulating customers into believing they are ethical and eco-friendly. They conveniently shroud their exploitative practices in the guise of being sustainable and conscious. They are misdirecting your attention by giving you something to look at. Behind the curtains, they continue to be unethical. They distract consumers by making them applaud H&M for doing the bare minimum and honestly, this bare minimum is ending up being more detrimental to the environment (much like Mr. Burns in The Simpsons).

There is something morally wrong in tapping into the guilt of consumers and using the principles of psychology and marketing to manufacture their consent and make them make economic decisions they otherwise would not. You know the consumer wants to save the planet. You know they want to create a change so instead of doing it yourselves, you make the consumer a scapegoat, put the onus on them to be sustainable, give them false hope, and make them believe they are being eco-friendly when in reality you are just manipulating them into buying your products to gain profit.

What’s even worse is that they exploit bright young climate change activists in their ad campaigns in a way that mocks the very real issues these children stand for. The ugly truth is that climate change unevenly affects different strata of society. It is the poor, marginalized, and tribal people who feel its immediate effects and not the top 1% of society who actually own these big corporations. They have absolutely no incentive to be sustainable even though it is they who have the power to create a significant change. They do not feel morally obligated to save the planet as it comes at the cost of reduced profits. So, the only reason H&M even has a conscious line is because of the rise in environmental awareness amongst its consumer base. It definitely does not come from an intrinsic belief in sustainability but it’s only here to preserve its brand relevance.

It is important for us, the consumers to recognize it and make actual sustainable choices. Practice thrifting, re-wear your clothes as many times as possible, dont give in to transient trends, try not to dispose off any garments and donate them to the right places (like orphanages), and buy from ethical brands (check out our site to shop more ethically) and make an active effort to recognize when companies are greenwashing.

Eco-Conscious Alternatives: Top 10 Sustainable Fashion Brands

Understanding that the H&M’s sustainability claims can often lack clarity and transparency, we’re here to simplify your eco-conscious shopping journey. We’ve curated a list of the top 10 go-to fashion brands renowned for their genuine commitment to environmental and ethical practices.

1. Christy Dawn
Christy Dawn


Christy Dawn is renowned for its dedication to sustainable fashion, crafting beautiful, timeless pieces from upcycled fabrics. Their use of deadstock material not only prevents textile waste but also creates unique, limited-edition garments. For consumers passionate about reducing their environmental footprint, Christy Dawn offers an opportunity to wear fashion that’s both ethical and distinctive.

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2. People Tree
People Tree


A trailblazer in fair trade and environmentally conscious fashion, People Tree has been committed to slow fashion for over 25 years. They collaborate with artisans and farmers globally to produce ethical and eco-friendly collections. Their adherence to Fair Trade standards empowers consumers to contribute to global economic equality with every purchase, making each wardrobe addition more meaningful.

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3. ABLE
ABLE


ABLE’s mission transcends fashion, aiming to eradicate generational poverty by providing women with fair, safe jobs. They publicly publish their wages to ensure transparency and hold the fashion industry accountable. Consumers can feel confident that their purchases directly contribute to the livelihoods of the artisans, fostering a community of empowerment and dignity.

Buy Now

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4. Kotn
Kotn


Kotn revolutionizes the industry with its farm-to-closet approach. By sourcing directly from Egyptian cotton farmers and committing to fair prices, they ensure quality and ethics are not compromised. Consumers benefit from high-quality garments, while simultaneously supporting a business model that prioritizes social impact over profit.

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5. Outerknown
Outerknown


Outerknown, co-founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater, proves that sustainable fashion and cool, coastal style are not mutually exclusive. They utilize materials like organic, recycled, and regenerated fibers, setting new standards for sustainability and functionality in the fashion world. Consumers can enjoy durable, stylish, and eco-conscious apparel perfect for adventure and everyday wear.

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6. Tentree
Tentree


With a commitment reflected in its name, tentree plants ten trees for every item sold, already counting tens of millions of trees worldwide. Offering eco-friendly materials and transparent manufacturing processes, they allow consumers to take an active role in global reforestation efforts and fight against climate change, making the brand’s cozy, outdoor-inspired apparel a vehicle for environmental activism.

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7. Kings of Indigo
Kings of Indigo


Kings of Indigo combines the best of both worlds: quality wear inspired by American classics with a Japanese eye for detail, all produced sustainably. They use innovative techniques to reduce water, waste, and energy in production. For the consumer, this means investing in high-quality, durable pieces that are both stylish and kind to the planet.

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8. Swedish Stockings
Swedish Stocking


Swedish Stockings challenges the disposable nature of hosiery, offering durable, eco-friendly options made from recycled content. They even run a recycling program for used stockings, regardless of the brand. This approach allows consumers to enjoy luxury hosiery without contributing to the quick turnover of traditional nylon stockings, reducing waste.

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9. Toad & Co.
Toad & Co.


Toad & Co. is more than a fashion brand; it’s a tool for change, offering eco-friendly, socially responsible, travel-friendly clothing. With initiatives like employing adults with disabilities, they’re pioneers in sustainable social change. Consumers can feel good knowing their comfortable, versatile attire supports inclusive job opportunities.

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10. Whimsy + Row
Whimsy + Row


Whimsy + Row caters to the eco-conscious without sacrificing style. By utilizing deadstock fabrics and local production in limited quantities, they combat fast fashion’s wastefulness. Consumers benefit from exclusive, ethically made apparel, ensuring they look good, feel good, and do good with every purchase.

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Your Go-To Alternative!

Ecowiser


Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond fashion; we’re dedicated to guiding you along your entire eco-friendly shopping journey. That’s why we’re excited to introduce you to Ecowiser, your one-stop destination for a diverse range of products, including beauty, home essentials, apparel, groceries, toys, electronics, and much more. At Ecowiser, we meticulously research and thoughtfully curate our selections to fulfill your sustainable living requirements. It’s not just about shopping; it’s about making choices that align with your values and contribute to a healthier planet. With us, rest assured that every purchase is a step towards sustainability!

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Conclusion

While H&M has undoubtedly made strides in its journey toward sustainability, a holistic assessment reveals areas that need attention. It’s commendable that the brand has initiated eco-friendly practices and launched sustainable collections. However, true sustainability goes beyond isolated efforts and requires consistent transparency and honesty about the entire supply chain and production processes. For a brand of H&M’s magnitude, it’s crucial to strike a balance between celebrating achievements and acknowledging areas of improvement. By doing so, they can set a precedent for genuine commitment to sustainability in the fashion industry.

Curious about the sustainability practices of other brands? Dive into our curated fashion blogs for detailed reviews, insights, and the latest in ethical fashion trends. Equip yourself with knowledge and make informed choices.

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Dr. Divya Goil

Dr. Divya Goil

Dr. Divya Goil is a Sustainability Researcher at Ecowiser. We empower individuals to make sustainable choices. I am a medical doctor with a passion for environmental conservation and have dedicated my career to finding solutions for a more sustainable future.

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