Return process seems simple

A return order for multiple sizes, with a single click, and a refund within two days appears straightforward. The small plastic bag handed to the delivery person disappears from the entrance, and the idea that the garment will soon be on a hanger, ready for another buyer, seems harmless.

Returned garments face a complex journey

A European study analyzing over 630,000 returned garments reveals that their journey is far more complicated than it seems. These items often travel long distances, pass through sorting centers, and may never find a new buyer, ending up destroyed, recycled, or discarded instead.

Logistics centers handle returned items

Returned garments frequently go through large logistics centers, sometimes far from the original store or even abroad. These centers are often run by third-party companies that sort, inspect, and sometimes restore the items before deciding their next destination.

Not all returned garments are resold

Between 22 and 44 percent of returned garments never reach a new consumer. Some are destroyed, turned into industrial rags, or sent for recycling, while others are simply discarded due to the lack of a profitable resale channel.

Environmental impact of returns

The process of returning items generates significant logistical efforts, using fuel, packaging, and emitting greenhouse gases. The environmental cost of these returns is often overlooked, despite their growing frequency in online shopping.

Consumer choices can make a difference

As the return season approaches, consumers are encouraged to reconsider the habit of ordering multiple sizes just in case. Choosing brands that are transparent about how they handle unsold items can help reduce the environmental impact of returns.