It’s one of the most common plastics in apparel, yet most people never see it. Polybags, the clear sleeves that protect garments during shipping, are a critical part of retail supply chains, and nearly impossible to recycle through everyday systems. That challenge became our opportunity.
In 2023, we launched a partnership with WM (formerly Waste Management) to rethink how we handle this essential material. What started as a 30-store pilot has since grown to 215 locations across the U.S., creating a nationwide network of recycling hubs connected directly to regional facilities. The result: transportation distances cut by more than half and a smarter, more efficient way to give polybags a second life.
Turning Plastic Waste into Possibility: Our Partnership with WM
From Polybag to Possibility
Thanks to WM, the polybags we collect are no longer “single-use” plastics, they’re becoming feedstock for new products, including plastic film, plastic-based yarns, and injection-molded items. And we’re exploring ways to “close the loop,” with the goal of recycling polybags back into the bags we use in our stores and supply chain.
So far, this collaboration has already diverted over 80,000 pounds of plastic from landfills and we’re just getting started. It’s proof that thoughtful partnerships can create real, tangible impact at scale.
So far, this collaboration has already diverted over 80,000 pounds of plastic from landfills and we’re just getting started. It’s proof that thoughtful partnerships can create real, tangible impact at scale.
“This partnership is a step toward reimagining how retail can tackle plastic waste in practical, measurable ways,” says Candan Erenguc, COO. “By connecting our stores with local recycling centers, we’re able to reduce environmental impact and create a system that’s both efficient and scalable.”
How It Works
The program is designed to be simple yet powerful:
Collection: Polybags are gathered at participating Anthropologie stores across the U.S.
Processing: WM transports the materials to regional recycling centers, reducing miles traveled and emissions.
Transformation: The collected plastic is converted into new materials, helping to power a circular approach to plastic use.
This model not only addresses the plastic waste challenge but also demonstrates how large-scale retail operations can rethink what’s possible when it comes to sustainability.
Collection: Polybags are gathered at participating Anthropologie stores across the U.S.
Processing: WM transports the materials to regional recycling centers, reducing miles traveled and emissions.
Transformation: The collected plastic is converted into new materials, helping to power a circular approach to plastic use.
This model not only addresses the plastic waste challenge but also demonstrates how large-scale retail operations can rethink what’s possible when it comes to sustainability.
Looking Ahead
We know that tackling plastic waste is a journey, not a destination. That’s why we’re committed to expanding the program, exploring new innovations, and continuing to measure the impact of every pound of plastic we divert. Our goal is simple: to create practical, scalable solutions that benefit both our customers and the planet.
Through partnerships like this, we’re learning that sustainability doesn’t have to be abstract, it can be real, measurable, and inspiring.
Through partnerships like this, we’re learning that sustainability doesn’t have to be abstract, it can be real, measurable, and inspiring.