Uniqlo recently announced that its RE.UNIQLO clothing recycling service has expanded to all stores in mainland China starting August 21, with a simultaneous launch on the Feimayi mini-program opening an online recycling channel. Users can schedule pickups of old clothes from Fast Retailing Group brands (including Uniqlo, GU, and Theory) through the mini-program, but shoes, underwear, and socks are not accepted. Previously the service was piloted at only 4 stores; this expansion achieves an integrated offline and online layout.

Meanwhile, Uniqlo's first RE.UNIQLO STUDIO in North China opened at its Beijing Sanlitun global flagship store, offering repair and embroidery customization services. A reporter observed in-store that one customer chose to have a kitten pattern embroidered on a shirt pocket, completed in about 30 minutes. In terms of cost, single-color embroidery is 20 yuan, and multi-color embroidery starts at 40 yuan. The studio also offers local limited-edition patterns such as Peking Opera masks and kites. The studio had previously been established in Shanghai, Changsha, Guangzhou, and other locations, and this service has been rolled out in 23 countries and regions worldwide.

Uniqlo China sustainability manager Aya Hanada said the recycling service pilot received positive responses from customers, with many requesting expansion on social media, prompting the decision to broaden the recycling scope and channels. Regarding where the old clothes go, collected garments are transported by Feimayi to sorting centers and classified by material such as cotton, polyester, and nylon. Some clothing is made into recycled products such as wood-plastic flooring, machine wiping cloths, soundproof cotton, agricultural insulation quilts, or canvas bags. A Feimayi representative noted that China generates over 20 million tons of waste textiles annually, but the regulated recycling rate is less than 30%. Old clothing recycling helps reduce incineration and landfill, promoting the development of the circular economy.

Uniqlo also stated that although it currently mainly uses "recycling" methods, the company is also paying attention to "fiber-to-fiber" technology, with the goal of turning old clothes into new garments. However, this technology is still in the exploratory stage and requires joint efforts from the industry.

Uniqlo's initiative reflects the brand's ongoing efforts to promote sustainable clothing consumption and brings greater imaginative space to China's old clothing recycling industry.

Source: Uniqlo Now Does More Than Sell Clothes! Repair, Customization, and Old Clothing Recycling Services Are Here · Originally published on 2026-08-27