H&M Denmark Burns 12 Tons of New Clothing

Since 2013, records ordering the incineration of over 12 tons of clothing and textiles have been piling up for a specific waste plant in Denmark. 
Fast-fashion is an issue garnering growing importance as its environmental and global economic impacts are discovered.
In an investigation performed by a Denmark television station, reporters discovered a systematic "waste" disposal operation adopted by H&M Denmark, and other fast-fashion offenders, in which boxes of new jeans, jewelry, and textiles are combusted rather than sold for below retail price or donated. 
Discovered incineration plant records in Denmark show approximately 12,000 kilograms of clothing burned by H&M per year since 2013.
H&M perpetuates an attention to waste-avoidance, environmental responsibility, and ethics in the distribution of their ever-increasing line of products. 
This sentiment is constantly expressed by the company in PR material and ads, such as the one below, promoting consumers' recycling of old garments and attentiveness to global industrial impact. They even have a "sustainability" tab on their website. 

Nevertheless, statements intended to rationalize the clothes burning were released by H&M, claiming the disposal was due to toxic levels of chemicals in the merchandise. 
Upon investigation, the clothes in question reported toxicity levels less than that of clothes sold in stores. 
The modern industry of fast-fashion is characterized by large amounts of waste ordered by companies like H&M, including Zara, Walmart, and even more upper scale brands. 
Why? It seems this practice is merely wasting inventory that could be sold, if even for a lower price. 
Reports of this waste have been conducted since before 2010, so analysis and ridicule of similar waste are largely accessible. In fact, H&M is a constant target of this investigation, and specific discussion of the reasoning for this company's waste can be accessed here. 
Predominately, fast fashion warrants a large inventory, so, why wouldn't H&M utilize this surplus and make a quick, if lessened amount of cash for their clothing?


The issue with resale is that the older products, attractive due to their low cost and, often, relatively recent release, compete with the newer ones on the market. 
The theory of fast fashion relies on consumers want for the newest, best item. However, slightly older, vastly cheaper items prove to be more desirable to consumers, in some situations.
Mass destruction of textile products is commonplace in the industry, among luxury and more economical brands alike. 
The problem of this purposed waste exists in the abundant resources used up in the production of such textiles; the energy, water, and materials which are included in H&M's waste-casualties.
Practices such as this are without attention to sustainability and their widespread nature illustrates the need for change in the fashion industry. 

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