This paper supports companies in identifying and addressing responsible business conduct risks and impacts in recycling processes in the garment and footwear sector. It provides important due diligence considerations for companies introducing circular products or transitioning to circular business models where recycling is typically a key component. By focusing on recycling processes, the paper addresses an area of the circular economy with comparatively higher risks for workers and the environment than other circular activities such as rental, reuse, and repair, with important implications for companies’ due diligence. The paper gives an overview of recycling processes before examining their potential and actual impacts on workers and the environment. It then translates these insights into practical due diligence considerations for companies. While drawing on research and examples from the garment and footwear sector, the considerations may also be relevant to other sectors.
