In the loop: John Lewis launches ‘Closed Loop’ initiative

John Lewis has taken another major step in its sustainability journey with the launch of its Closed Loop initiative – a circular knitwear collection made entirely from reclaimed and repurposed wool. The project showcases British craftsmanship and circular design, encouraging customers to become active participants in a more sustainable fashion future.

This innovative collection is available online and in selected John Lewis stores.

A circular vision: transform, not discard

The Closed Loop initiative is built around the idea of reimagining waste. Rather than seeing worn garments as disposable, John Lewis treats them as valuable raw materials for new creations. Preloved wool clothing collected through the retailer’s FashionCycle scheme and other take-back programmes across the UK is sorted and recycled into new yarn.

The 19-piece unisex collection includes five jumper designs, a striped rib beanie available in three colourways and a knitted scarf, all made from 100 per cent recycled wool. Each piece is individually hand-numbered to highlight its uniqueness and traceable craftsmanship. Prices start at £49 for the beanie, with the Fair Isle crew jumper priced at £199.

To reduce environmental impact further, the collection is produced using circular knitting machines that minimise material waste. No re-dyeing is involved; instead, colour is achieved by carefully blending recycled fibres. The garments are also designed with end-of-life recyclability in mind, ensuring they can be reprocessed once again when worn out.

How the Closed Loop process works

The initiative follows a meticulous five-step process to transform old wool garments into brand-new fashion pieces.

1. Collection – My John Lewis members can drop off their unwanted wool garments at any John Lewis shop through the FashionCycle scheme.

2. Sorting – Clothing is collected and sorted using advanced technology that separates wool fibres from other fabrics.

3. Recycling – Suitable items are cleaned, deconstructed and colour-matched before being blended with other waste wool, ready for spinning.

4. Spinning – Specialist spinners in Yorkshire transform the recycled fibres into new high-quality yarn, blending bespoke shades before twisting and finishing.

5. Knitting – Expert British knitters use circular knitting machines to craft each garment, ensuring minimal waste.

Importantly, every stage of this supply chain takes place within the UK, supporting British jobs, local craftsmanship and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Why the Closed Loop initiative matters

The Closed Loop initiative is much more than a new fashion range – it represents John Lewis’s ongoing commitment to a more circular retail model. By 2025, the retailer aims for every product category to include a ‘buy back’ or ‘take back’ option, and by 2028, all own-brand products will meet circular design standards.

Megan Lovesey, John Lewis knitwear buyer, described the project as a first for a major UK retailer, blending customer donations with expert local craftsmanship to create a fully circular supply chain. The approach turns waste into opportunity and offers a blueprint for how British fashion can lead in sustainability.

For consumers, the collection provides an easy way to take part in responsible fashion. Donating old wool items not only reduces waste but also contributes directly to creating new, beautiful knitwear pieces. Each hand-numbered garment carries a sense of story and authenticity, proving that sustainability can go hand in hand with style and quality.

A sustainable step forward

The Closed Loop collection is available both online and in six John Lewis stores: Oxford Street, Peter Jones, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Leeds and Cribbs Causeway.

This project sits alongside other sustainability efforts from the retailer, such as the FashionCycle take-back scheme, its resale service and clothing repair workshops. Together, these form part of a long-term strategy to make waste reduction and product circularity central to the brand’s identity.

As consumers grow increasingly conscious of where and how their clothes are made, John Lewis’s Closed Loop initiative sets an inspiring example for the industry. It highlights that true progress in fashion comes not just from creating something new, but from reimagining what already exists – closing the loop for a more sustainable tomorrow.