By 1808Delaware
Debrand, a leading innovator in next-life logistics solutions for the apparel and footwear industry, has announced the opening of its first U.S. facility in central Ohio. This strategic expansion is set to enhance the company’s ability to meet the growing demand for scalable, advanced textile sortation services. By establishing a 32,000-square-foot facility in the heart of a vibrant fashion and apparel industry hub, Debrand aims to strengthen its circular textile ecosystem, which is already recognized as North America’s most comprehensive textile sustainability and circularity hub.
A Strategic Location in Delaware
Debrand’s new U.S. flagship facility is situated in the Sawmill Pointe Business Park, an 89-acre site located off Sawmill Parkway on the southwest side of Delaware. This location provides easy access to key markets and resources, making it an ideal base for expanding Debrand’s innovative services. The facility is designed to support brands in integrating sustainability and circularity models that align with impending regulatory requirements using future-proof sortation technology and state-of-the-art machinery.
Addressing the Textile Waste Crisis
“The fashion industry is well beyond its tipping point with textile waste. The sheer volume of garments produced each year is becoming insurmountable, and there simply aren’t enough regional solutions to address this issue at the scale required in North America,” said Amelia Eleiter, CEO and Co-founder of Debrand. “By expanding our footprint, we’re making the investments necessary to move the industry towards a more responsible future.”
Eleiter emphasized the importance of the new facility in tackling pre- and post-consumer waste challenges and preparing for upcoming regulations. The facility aims to mirror the success of Debrand’s Canadian operations, utilizing a blend of automated textile sortation technology and equipment to increase capacity and efficiency.
Support from Industry Leaders
Debrand’s expansion has received enthusiastic support from industry leaders. Meghan McLane, Director of Product Sustainability at Victoria’s Secret, expressed her excitement: “We are thrilled that Debrand is opening a new facility in our hometown. As our partner, Debrand has been instrumental in advancing our end-of-life garment program. This facility is another step in building the infrastructure needed in North America to enable brands to move towards more circular models.”
Strategic Investment and Future Growth
In November 2022, Debrand received a strategic investment from WM, North America’s largest environmental solutions provider. This marked WM’s first investment in textile recycling and aligns Debrand with WM’s operations across the continent. This partnership further underscores Debrand’s commitment to providing comprehensive sustainability solutions and consulting services that guide brands in adopting circular textile strategies.
Contributions to North America’s Circular Fashion Economy
Natasha Franck, CEO and Founder of EON, highlighted Debrand’s crucial role in advancing textile circularity within North America: “Debrand’s expansion is a promising evolution for advancing the fashion industry’s textile circularity within the North American market. Their expertise and insights were instrumental in shaping our own research for scaling circular systems.”
Franck noted the importance of technologies like Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and Digital IDs in regulatory compliance and praised Debrand’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. In the last 18 months, Debrand has diverted over 4.5 million pounds of textile waste from landfills, demonstrating its significant impact on reducing textile waste.
About Debrand
Founded in 2008 by Amelia Eleiter and Wes Baker, Debrand partners with clothing companies to collect and sort damaged, returned, and unsold inventory for resale, donation, recycling, repair, or disposal. The company diverted nearly 1,000 tons of used textiles in 2022 through various channels, reflecting its dedication to sustainability and circularity.
Image by Carla Burke from Pixabay
