Walmart and H&M destroy clothing
01.08.10
I was reading this article yesterday about H&M and Walmart destroying and throwing away their clothing that didn’t sell rather than donating them to shelters and non-profits. H&M and Walmart take clothes & shoes that did not sell in the store, cut them up so they can not be resold or worn and then throw them in the trash. They were caught doing this in New York City, where 1/3 of the population is impoverished.
After I finished asking “Are you kidding me????” about 400 times. I had to start my deep breathing and try to calm down. This is just so amazing to me, I mean really, isn’t it just common sense not to throw away clothes when people in our country can’t afford them.
I don’t shop at Walmart or H&M. I used to but I stopped about two years ago because I do not agree with their business practices. While I am glad Walmart has decided to carry some organic items I feel it is not done with any conscience, which is even more obvious now. I prefer my money go to companies that actually care. I may pay a little more to shop at my locally owned grocery store but they give back to the community. Now, what does this matter to people who are barely able to pay their bills, how can we justify paying a little more when we barely have it? The reality is you are paying more anyway. The food shelters, the homeless shelters, the public programs for impoverished and needy families are funded by you and me everyday. Our tax dollars are spent on these programs. If we spend our money at stores with consciences, even if they are a little more expensive initially they are more than likely saving us money in the end. They are also helping your community directly and allowing your tax dollars to be spent elsewhere to help the country.
There are so many stores that either give back, get involved, or are just as dedicated as you to a better community & environment. If the places you shop at don’t give back do they at least operate with a conscience? Your money speaks loudly, make sure it is expressing what you believe in. Choose companies dedicated to your beliefs, not just interested in jumping on the Green/Organic/Community bandwagon.
If you must shop at Walmart and H&M please at least make a phone call and tell them you think this is a ridiculous practice, suggest local charities where they can donate clothing, toys, & home goods.
Where do you shop? Do you search out stores that are involved in your community?
-Sheri
(Sorry for the ranting today but I really couldn’t help myself.)
I shop mostly online, it is easier than hauling my kids to the store. Mostly green companies if I can help it. And downtown in my little town of Fredericksburg, VA, are lovely local businesses I do support.
Thanks for the “rant” about Walmart. I have avoided them for years after learning what they do to historic downtown areas and mom & pop stores (forcing them to close).
We shop almost everywhere that we happen to catch a good sale if thats community or a large chain. Since we live in a relatively large city with many shopping choices we typically do not got to Wal-Mart but when we were visiting my in-laws for the summer Wal-Mart was all there was. In this story I was not appalled by Wal Mart’s behavior. I don’t expect much from them as a retailer- come on their Wal-Mart not organic health and wellness mart. I was most surprised by H&M, which is a European company who has a much different clientele than Wal-Mart. Their customer base one could argue is more socially engaged and this action seems classist and petty.
Destroying clothes that you are not going to use is an issue of elitism. I work for a family full time as a nanny and they DO NOT give their daughters outgrown expensive children’s wear to charity they toss it. I have a daughter and in my previous nanny jobs these clothes were always offered to me or at least given to a family friend or to charity. However my current employer feels that the clothes that she buys should only have one user. The same goes for most items that they are done with. Charity is only used if it cannot possibly fit in the city garbage can.
Giving to charity or handing it down to them is stigmatizing. I have no idea why but it is a culture of feeling entitled to consume your purchases and your goods in any manner that you please.
Great post, I stopped shopping at Wal-mart a few years ago for the same reasons. I don’t want my money going to support a company that I believe was not looking after the good of the people that work for them or the community which they are a part of. I had no Idea H&M was doing that either, of which I am shocked. My wife use to shop there when they were only in Europe and had one store in New York. But now that they have gone global she has stopped as well.
Shopping and buying local is so important. I wish that there were more ways to get the message out and inform people about what they are supporting when they choose where to shop.
This is terrible. I can’t believe any company would do such a thing. I don’t shop at Walmart or H&M anymore, but I’m wearing a sweater from H&M that I just got for x-mas.