This month, the Winmark team passed a significant milestone: Our five franchise brands and their owners have recycled 2 billion items since 2010! Not only that, but this amazing work is responsible for returning millions of dollars in revenue to communities from consumer items purchased by franchisees. “Reaching the two-billion mark reflects the strength and consistency of our business model,” said Brett D. Heffes, Winmark Chief Executive Officer. “Our franchisees continue to deliver value and create meaningful impact across thousands of communities throughout North America.”
Recycling more than 2 billion items represents our efforts to create a purpose-driven business model while building successful brands fueled by talented, entrepreneurial franchise owners. This work reaffirms Winmark’s position as a leader in the circular economy and a champion of sustainable small business ownership.
The news is a welcome counterpoint to the apparel and sporting goods industries’ growing and often overlooked sustainability issues. Globally, more than 85% of all clothing is disposed of either by burning or discarding into landfills. In the last 15 years, people have been buying twice as many clothes but only wearing them half as long. The United Nations estimates that the apparel industry creates 10% of the global carbon emissions. In today’s fast fashion environment, clothes are made to be worn and disposed of rather than repaired, repurposed or recycled. Sports equipment is no different and may be more complex to repurpose due to composite items containing carbon, high-impact plastics and electronics.
Play It Again Sports, Plato’s Closet, Once Upon A Child, Style Encore and Music Go Round solve a basic problem in the circular economy equation – keeping gently used clothing, sporting equipment and musical instruments out of the landfill. Today’s high-tech, lightweight materials are most often synthetic and can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Rather than add to the more than 92 million tons of clothing waste and more than 7,000 tons of used sports gear that fill up landfills – where they create additional toxic run-off and off gassing – Winmark franchise owners are returning good quality items to eco-conscious customers.
Our brands’ focus on sustainability and meeting the needs of our communities aligns with the purchasing preferences of Millennials and Gen Z consumers. According to First Insight, a full 62% of each demographic prefers to buy from sustainable brands, and almost three-quarters of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay more for those products and services. Forbes has noted that both Millennials and Gen Z shoppers choose recycled products for sustainability reasons as well as a way to express their individuality and sense of style.
Last year alone, our stores recycled over 185 million products, and on average, each locally-owned franchise location extended the life of over 120,000 items, while paying out over $400,000 back to their community by purchasing reusable items directly from customers.
“This milestone is a direct result of the incredible work our franchisees do every day,” added Renae M. Gaudette, Chief Operating Officer. “Their commitment to sustainability and community service proves that business can be both successful and purpose-driven.”
If you’re a motivated, values-focused entrepreneur who’s interested in making real environmental and social impact as part of your daily work, we’d love to talk more about Winmark’s brands, our operating and franchise philosophies and how you can help change the world while growing your own business!