Timberland launches take-back program to refurbish, recycle used products

Dive Brief:

With refurbishment programs growing in popularity, Timberland has partnered with ReCircled, a company focused on upcycling and take-back programs, to launch its own re-commerce program, according to a Tuesday press release emailed to Retail Dive. As part of the initiative, Timberland will accept Timberland-branded footwear, apparel and accessories. These items will then be repaired or refurbished for sale on its re-commerce platform. It could also be recycled or upcycled into future products.
The brand also previewed its Timberloop Trekker hiker boot, which has a distinct sole construction to allow for easier recycling through ReCircle. The company plans to release the Timberloop Trekker shoe in Spring 2022, per the announcement.
Timberland customers can return any Timberland items to its stores beginning in August, and the company aims to roll out a digital ship-from-home option later this summer. Timberland's goal is to "have a net positive impact on nature by 2030," inclusive of this program and other initiatives, like eventually sourcing 100% of its materials through regenerative agriculture.

Dive Insight:

Timberland joins a growing list of retailers offering some form of take-back program for old products, with plans to expand the reach of its efforts in the future.

Timberland plans to launch its re-commerce initiative in Europe, the Middle East and Africa later this fall and in the Asia-Pacific region in Spring 2022. The partnership with ReCircled comes on the heels of other efforts to become a more eco-friendly company, including using regenerative leather and community cotton fiber and introducing more styles with GreenStride comfort soles, which are made with 75% renewable materials.

"This take-back program is a critical step in pursuing our 100% circularity goal, while at the same time addressing the ever-increasing consumer demand for responsible design and progressive retail options," Susie Mulder, global brand president for Timberland, said in a statement. "Timberland always builds our products for longevity. Now those products will have a second life, whether they are refurbished for resale, or disassembled and recycled into something new."

As Timberland launches its re-commerce program to tackle used products, other outdoor and activewear companies have implemented similar programs to refurbish or recycle used items. REI has been expanding its efforts in the used gear space over the years, while Patagonia in 2019 opened its first store entirely dedicated to pre-worn goods. More recently, Nike and Lululemon have joined the party with refurbishment and resale programs of their own. Timberland is part of a growing trend of retailers jumping into the used apparel market, which ThredUp estimates will reach $77 billion in the next five years.