US apparel giant PVH Corp has become the first clothing company to commit to using How2Recycle labels on its packaging.

The firm, which owns brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Izod, will use the labels to provide detailed and consistent instructions on how to recycle its Calvin Klein Underwear packaging.

How2Recycle (H2R) began in 2008 as a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. Today, H2R says its mission is to take the guesswork out of recycling by creating a clear, well-understood, and nationally harmonised label that enables companies to convey to consumers how to recycle a package.

“As a global apparel company, we recognise that we have a responsibility to reduce waste, and one key way to do so is by minimsing our packaging and making it recyclable,” says Marissa Pagnani-McGowan, group vice president corporate responsibility at PVH Corp. “How2Recycle labels will make it easier for our consumers to understand how to discard unwanted items in the most sustainable way possible.”

Each How2Recycle label is based on the best availability of recycling data available, as well as critical technical insights from Association of Plastic Recyclers, Recycled Paperboard Alliance, and other industry experts. 

H2R claims to be the only recycling label system designed to comply with the Federal Trade Commission’s Guidelines for Environmental Marketing Claims, and the first recycling labelling system in the US designed for consumers.

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“PVH is blazing the trail by being the first company in the apparel space to commit to featuring accurate, consistent recycling labels on their packaging,” says Caroline Cox, project manager at How2Recycle. “The reach of their iconic brands will empower a new sector of consumers to recycle more, and more accurately. We are elated to welcome PVH to How2Recycle and hope that their leadership will inspire other apparel companies to join in.”