Reformation

Evaluated company sustainability strategies based on international standards (ISO 59.010). Gave feedback and strategies to better prioritize and align current initiatives.

Year
2024

Evaluator
Circular Economy Institute

Circular Logistics.

The International Organization for Standardization released guidelines including 8 pillars to measure circular supply chains and product design. As a prerequisite to certifying expertise in regards to the fashion and retail industry, I evaluated Reformation, a women’s retail chain based in the US. They self-publish sustainability goals and objectives for their fiscal year, therefore I took this information and made recommendations to align with specifically a circular economy.

Out of the 8 pillars, Industrial Symbiosis was the strongest with thoughtfully certified circular partnerships being utilized to fill in supply chain gaps. The functional approach of the supply chain was the weakest link, with the inability to rent products hurting this criteria the most and limited messaging on maximizing the utility of the clothes.

To view the full presentation, reach out via the contact form. I’m happy to share and discuss.

 FAQs

    1. Circular Ecodesign 2. Resource Management & Circular Procurement 3. Extension of the Life Cycle 4. Responsible Use 5. Reverse Logistics 6. Industrial Symbiosis 7. New Life of Products & Materials 8. Functional Approach.

  • Sustainability is broader and less concrete. Circular logistics are a response to the linear supply chains that we utilize today, where resources are extracted or harvested from the earth, used for products and then discarded, filling landfill after landfill. A circular economy eliminates waste as a concept, where every aspect of the supply chain is regenerative, through strategies such as reselling, renting and collecting. The retailer bares responsibility for this reuse because there is a cost incentive to collect what has been used before, in packaging, in efficient energy usage, in water collection.

  • The circular economy institute is a leading organization in training the next generation of business innovators. Circular economy experts from the World Economic Forum, fashionpositive+, and Redress are curriculum contributors as well as evaluators. The final grade was a 90/100.

  • Reformation should ensure takeback programs are available in all markets where the clothing and accessories are sold. Additionally, including a rental platform in the business model to allow for nonownership shifts responsibility onto Reformation to ensure the clothes are high enough quality to be reworn and taken care of. Communicating a dedication to resell and small loop circular logistics will resonate to their consumer base of eco-conscious, affluent shoppers. Using plastic, even recycled plastic is unideal as well. The energy it takes to recycle plastic is extensive and there are biodegradable options. Even rethinking if the clothes would be alright to ship in the paper packaging without anything cover them. Finally, Reformation is using leather, cashmere, silk, and wool which require an extensive and occasionally cruel harvesting process as well as a lot water and energy. Continuing to phase out these materials and design them out is essential to dematerialize and lower their footprint.

“Olivia is brilliant at introducing and evaluating every ISO pillar with examples. She also shows a clear understanding of which recommendations would be easier or more challenging to implement and seems well equipped to guide the company with empathy through the process of implementation, understanding both the feasibility and economic constraints that may be faced up front.”

-Anna Tari, founder and CEO Circular Economy Institute