At Sagitta Pharma, we firmly believe that a product that can still be used should not end up as waste.
This is the very essence of our partnership with PharmaGreen, which allows us to repurpose unsold healthcare products and give them a useful second life. See our latest report here.
Today, we’re continuing on this same path with a new internal initiative: the installation of a Refashion drop-off bin at our Fondettes site, dedicated to collecting used textiles, household linens, and shoes.
It’s a simple, practical initiative that’s accessible to all employees.
What does the partnership with Refashion entail?
Refashion is an eco-organization serving the apparel, home textiles, and footwear sectors. Its mission is to support industry stakeholders and the public in reducing the environmental impact of textiles by promoting collection, repair, reuse, and recycling.
Specifically, a drop-off station is now available to Sagitta Pharma employees.
Anyone can drop off used clothing, shoes, or household linens, regardless of their condition, as long as they are placed in a sealed bag.
The collected items are then directed to the appropriate channels. Depending on their condition, they can be reused, recycled, or repurposed in other ways. Thanks to our partner Refashion, sorted textiles can be put to various uses: resale in thrift stores or charity shops, recycling into insulation, cleaning rags, or new textile fibers, or even energy recovery for items that can no longer be reused.
Why focus on textiles?
Because the textile industry has a major environmental impact.
Fiber production, water consumption, chemical treatments, transportation, rapid turnover of collections, textile waste… Every stage of a garment’s life cycle takes a toll—sometimes a heavy one—on our resources.
ADEME points out that the textile industry has numerous negative impacts on the environment and also emphasizes that ultra-fast fashion exacerbates these effects by accelerating production, the turnover of styles, and consumer purchasing behavior.
The Ministry of Ecological Transition also notes that the textile industry is one of the sectors with the greatest environmental impact and accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A total of 3.5 billion textile items were brought to market in 2024!
In light of these challenges, collecting and repurposing textiles are concrete solutions. They don’t solve everything, because we know that the best kind of waste is, above all, waste that doesn’t exist in the first place… But these collection efforts help prevent garments that are still usable or can be repurposed from simply being thrown away.
Reuse Instead of Throwing Away
A used textile isn't necessarily waste.
Unworn clothing can be reused, and damaged clothing can be recycled or repurposed.
The goal of this Refashion drop-off station is to make the process easier for staff: drop off, collect, and repurpose.
This initiative also serves as a reminder of a key point: upcycling often begins with a very practical action: sorting. Don’t automatically throw things away. Think about the possibility of giving them a second life.
As a result, in 2024, Refashion collected 289,393 metric tons of used textiles and shoes, representing an average of 3.96 kilograms per capita. And 34.5 percent—more than one-third—of these items were sent for recycling.
A CSR approach rooted in our DNA
At Sagitta Pharma, this approach is reflected in the way we move forward, in the choices we make, in our partnerships, and in the initiatives we implement over time.
Our CSR approach is based on a simple belief: it is possible to take action at our level, using measures that are useful, clear, and easy for our teams to adopt.
The Refashion drop-off station is fully in line with this initiative. It promotes responsible recycling channels, raises awareness about proper sorting practices, and helps reduce the environmental impact of used textiles.
It is a modest effort on the scale of the textile industry, but one that drives progress through visible, consistent, and collective actions.
An initiative that benefits both the environment and people
Installing a recycling bin at work empowers employees to take action easily, right in their workplace. No more driving miles to find a drop-off station at the far end of a parking lot—which is sometimes already full or even closed…
In fact, by 2025, the industry had experienced a slowdown in activity as well as the removal of drop-off stations. Today, it is estimated that, on average, there is one drop-off station for every 1,458 residents in France.
Placing a drop-off station at the workplace also makes it easier to get involved, without making it a burden.
Everyone can participate at their own pace and contribute to a collective effort.
This initiative helps foster a corporate culture that is more responsible, more inclusive, and more mindful of its impact.
With Refashion, we are continuing our efforts to repurpose materials by creating a new cycle in the textile industry.
Because before throwing something away, there’s often another option: collect, pass on, transform, or repurpose.
