Los Angeles-based home textiles company Parachute has partnered with reverse-logistics platform SuperCircle to start a new recycling program for bedding, towels, and robes. Parachute founder Ariel Kaye said the company aimed to reduce this waste by providing recycling options for customers.

"Home linens are rarely resold or donated, making them a significant environmental issue," said Chloe Songer, co-founder and CEO of SuperCircle. "When linens are dumped in landfills, they can take 80 to 1,000 years to decompose, releasing harmful toxins and greenhouse gases, and polluting waterways and soil systems."

Parachute will accept customer donations of sheets, towels, pillows, and robes in any condition at its 26 stores across the U.S. Working with SuperCircle, Parachute will sort and recycle these items into new textiles, furniture batting, insulation, and padding. Parachute will offer customers discounts on new products when they donate items for recycling. Kaye hopes this will encourage regular recycling habits and demonstrate to other retailers how they can help reduce waste.

"SuperCircle has diverted over two million textiles from landfills, preventing approximately 300,000 pounds of CO2e emissions," Kaye said. "In our year-long collaboration, we have already diverted 26,648 pounds of textile waste and saved 12,924 pounds of CO2e. This new program will significantly expand our efforts and ensure nothing ends up in landfills."

"We aim to change consumer behavior and educate them on the impact of recycling," Kaye added. "We want to inspire other brands to take responsibility for their products’ end-of-life to support initiatives like this."