Reverse Logistics and textile recycling provider Debrand is positioned for expansive growth after receiving a strategic investment from WM, North America’s largest environmental solutions provider.
Headquartered in Vancouver, Debrand’s mission is to help world-class fashion and retail brands elevate their sustainability strategy by extracting as much value as possible from the planet’s finite resources. Among Debrand’s impressive customer list is Lululemon, Canada Goose, Aritzia, and Kit and Ace.
The investment is WM’s first strategic one and the terms of it were not disclosed.
Debrand’s proprietary software technology, Compass Allocation Engine, accurately sorts, identifies and allocates textile items to their highest-value channel, increasing efficiency, sustainability potential, and unlocking new revenue streams.
This year, Debrand is projected to divert nearly 1,000 tons of used textiles (125% year-over-year growth), from landfills through resale, recycling and repurposing channels.
The fashion industry is one of the highest producers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally, and a growing number of brands have committed to adopting circular strategies to reduce GHG emissions that derive from producing fibers and raw materials.
Leveraging Debrand’s expertise and technology, WM expects to offer new textile recycling capabilities for its customers and provide circular solutions across North America.
“We work with our customers to unlock the highest-value for their products by extending the products’ life through reuse or recycling,” said Amelia Eleiter, co-founder of Debrand.
“Not only will WM’s investment allow us to integrate our solutions at scale across North America, but we will also be able to empower new and existing customers’ to run efficient and profitable circular systems.”
The investment from WM will accelerate Debrand’s plans to grow its operations, capabilities, customer network, and team in support of both existing and new customers.
Significant demand and growth is expected for Debrand’s reverse logistics textile solutions in response to climate change and the movement towards a circular economy.
Debrand was co-founded by Eleiter and Wes Baker (pictured) in 2008.
Well done Amelia and Wes! Your dreams are being realized. Congratulations!