New Zealand-born brand Kathmandu has launched a new circularity pilot called Kathman-REDU in Victoria.
The ANZ-first pilot programme collects products that would otherwise be unsellable and then cleans, repairs and refurbishes these items to be sold in-store.
The programme has launched in two Melbourne Kathmandu stores - Richmond and Galleria - with the intention to scale over time.
Kathman-REDU is backed by a grant from Sustainability Victoria’s Innovation Fund, via the Circular Economy Business Innovation Centre (CEBIC).
This is the first time the Victorian State Government has offered grants focussed on textiles as a priority material to pilot circular programmes.
Sustainability Victoria interim CEO Matt Genever welcomed Kathmandu’s new initiative.
“Renewal and resale of damaged or unwanted clothing is a challenge the apparel industry must overcome globally,” Genever said. “We’re proud to support innovative industry-leading solutions right here in Victoria, and look forward to seeing the programme scale in time.”
Kathmandu also recently launched a partnership with Upparel in 24 stores across Melbourne. Designated Upparel ‘bins’ are now in store, where customers can drop their old, used or faulty Kathmandu gear so that they will be reused or repurposed.
A portion of appropriate items from this initiative will be returned to retail as a part of Kathman-REDU.
KMD Brands chief ESG officer Frances Blundell said circularity is a key area of focus for KMD and Kathmandu.
“We’re trialling several initiatives here in Victoria to determine customer interest and finesse our delivery of these programmes,” Blundell said. “We’re very fortunate to have the backing of Sustainability Victoria to explore this new way to repurpose what would otherwise become textile waste.”
Kathmandu partnered with The Renewal Workshop AU/NZ circular lead Aleasha McCallion, the founder of sustainable textile enterprise Hatch + make Kirri-Mae Sampson, as well as long-term partner Remote Repairs to deliver the Kathman-REDU project.
Founded in 1987, Kathmandu is a certified B Corp with 153 stores across ANZ as well as dedicated online sites for Australia and New Zealand.