H&M, Lyft Offer Free Rides to Make Recycling Clothing Easier for New Yorkers

H&M is teaming up with Lyft to provide free rides to New Yorkers interested in donating clothing to H&M's Garment Collecting program. Starting January 22 through January 27, the first 5,000 H&M customers interested in donating clothing can use the promo code HMRECYCLES to claim a free ride up to $10 to any H&M location in New York City. Customers will also receive 15 percent off their H&M purchase in return for a donation of unwanted garments, from any brand and in any condition.

"H&M is thrilled to partner with Lyft in a joint effort to give garments a second life through H&M's Garment Collecting program. Sustainability is a part of everything we do, and we are excited this initiative will allow more New Yorkers to both learn about and get involved in the program," said Martino Pessina, president of H&M North America, in a statement.

The partnership is part of a broader mission by the two companies to take on the challenges of climate change and circularity in fashion more directly. H&M started its Garment Collecting program in 2013, becoming the first fashion company to launch a clothing collecting initiative worldwide. The program has collected 163 million pounds of textiles globally, providing customers an easy way to give clothes a second life to ensure fewer garments end up in landfills.

"Lyft is proud to partner with H&M to support the Garment Collecting initiative and provide the local community with accessible opportunities to donate and recycle clothing," said Ann Ferracane, general manager of Lyft New York, in a statement. "Helping New Yorkers make donations is an important, but exciting, step in creating a positive impact on our natural resources for years to come."

In 2018, Lyft committed to full carbon neutrality and 100 percent renewable energy by offsetting the carbon emissions from all Lyft rides, meaning every Lyft ride in NYC is carbon-neutral. Lyft also has partnered with cities and public transit agencies across the U.S. to launch bikes and scooters programs, including NYC's Citi Bike, as well as set the goal to achieve 50 percent shared rides by the end of 2020.