Today, two years on from launch, the Foundation publishes ‘The Jeans Redesign: Insights from the first two years.’ The report reveals not only the successes, but also the barriers, solutions and innovation gaps faced by participants in creating jeans that are used more, made to be made again, and made from safe and recycled or renewable inputs. The insights gained will go a long way in informing bold action towards creating more products in this way. 

To date, participants of The Jeans Redesign have put more than half a million pairs of circular jeans on the market, meeting minimum requirements for durability, traceability, and recyclability, while using safe materials and processes. 80% of participants brought redesigned fabric or jeans to market despite the impacts of Covid-19. Although the number of circular jeans only makes up just a small fraction of the total market, the project has demonstrated that it is possible to create circular jeans today.

The Jeans Redesign supports organisations to build the confidence to explore and learn about how to use circular economy principles to put products on the market. The collective challenges and solutions identified made it clear where investment and innovation are needed. The Jeans Redesign demonstrates it is possible to create garments fit for a circular economy and now the concept has been proven, there’s no reason to delay progress. We call on industry and government to build on this growing momentum to rapidly transition to a circular economy for fashion at scale."

- Laura Balmond, Make Fashion Circular Lead - Ellen MacArthur Foundation