Black hangers coming to Macy’s

As a shopper who’s never given a second thought to the hanger a garment resides on, the press release sent by Macy’s to my inbox this morning caught my eye. (Read here)
Beginning this fall, the nation’s largest department store chain is switching to environmentally-friendly matte black hangers for most apparel in its stores. The new hangers, which are made with recycled materials, will replace the clear plastic ones we’re used to seeing in Macy’s stores. The chain, which says it uses nearly 300 million hangers each year, will also encourage its apparel vendors to switch to the new hangers. According to the Voluntary Industry Commerce Solutions (VICS) Association, the industry group that Macy’s is partnering with on the change, the matte black hangers are a more sustainable option because they’re made from recycled plastic resins (such as polypropylene and polystyrene), thereby dramatically reducing the use of 100% new oil resources. VICS points out that the global market is moving toward black hangers; they’re already used almost exclusively in Europe. (And I thought Europeans preferred black because it’s chic!) Of course, the black hangers will fit right in at trendy Bloomingdale’s, which is owned by Macy’s.
By this time next year the black hangers should replace the clear plastic ones now hanging in Macy’s stores. (In the meantime, shoppers should be prepared for an unsightly mix of clear and black hangers on the selling floor.) That’s good news for Macy’s – because the new hangers are cheaper in addition to being better for the environment — and Planet Earth.
All kidding aside, I’m pleased that nation’s largest department store operator is taking this and other steps toward sustainability. (For more on Macy’s’ sustainability efforts click here.) I’m betting that many other retailers will follow suit.