On average, more than 15 million tons of textile waste is generated in the U.S. each year, and in 2017 two thirds of that made its way to landfills across the country. At Williams-Sonoma, Inc., we recognize the importance of extending a product’s life as the best way to avoid the landfill. We’re excited to introduce Pottery Barn Renewed, a new initiative that repairs the brand’s imperfect and returned items, helping to keep them out of landfills.
Pottery Barn has partnered with The Renewal Workshop, the leading provider of circular solutions for apparel and textile brands. The Renewal Workshop’s recent research indicates that 82% of what brands consider waste can be renewed and resold. Since 2016, The Renewal Workshop has partnered with brands and retailers to recover value from unsellable returns and excess inventory.
“We are excited to partner with the Pottery Barn leadership on their journey to circular. This investment demonstrates how the industry is shifting away from the environmentally devastating take-make-waste linear system and embracing restorative circular practices.”
Nicole Bassett, Co-Founder of The Renewal Workshop
Pottery Barn Renewed is giving a second life to products across bedding, bath, curtains, pillows, throws, table linens and robes. The Renewal Workshop operates state-of-the-art facilities in Oregon and the Netherlands where products undergo a multi-step renewal process.
- Cleaned – Using the most advanced, waterless cleaning technology, items are thoroughly sanitized.
- Repaired – Clean products are inspected and, if needed, repaired to like-new standards. Any products that are unable to be repaired are recycled.
- Certified – Items are inspected by hand once more to ensure quality repairs.
- Co-Branded – Once products are up to our joint standards, they are given a Renewal Workshop tag and are ready for sale.
- Scored – Each item gets scored so customers can see the difference they’re making by buying renewed.
- Purchased – Customers shop for renewed products, which find a new home.
“By becoming the first major home furnishings retailer to launch a renewed line in partnership with The Renewal Workshop, we continue to build on our industry-leading sustainability commitments to encourage further innovation for the betterment of our world. We are proud to take this next step in our sustainability journey and invite our customers to do the same.”
Marta Benson, Pottery Barn President
As a multi-channel retailer, we’re proud to be investing in circular models to extend the life of our products as we work towards our goal of 75% landfill diversion across our operations by 2021. This renewed line of products represents Pottery Barn’s first step towards becoming a circular business and furthering its leadership in sustainability and innovation.