Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
*Updated* Unsold H&M Clothing Destroyed, Not Donated
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 6, 2010
Modified Jan 6, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 6, 2010
Modified Jan 6, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
To keep their unsold merchandise from being worn or put on the market by other sellers, Manhattan clothing retailers are shredding their excess merchandise instead of donating it, according to the Times. Scavengers have started sifting through the trash bags piled up behind the H&M's 34th Street shop in search of garb that hasn't been destroyed with box cutters or razors. A few doors down, a company contracted to work for Wal-Mart allegedly covered the sidewalk with trash bags stuffed clothing that had been punched with holes. Onlookers spotted gloves with the fingers cut off, shoes with scissors taken to the instep and jackets slashed across the arms and body. Both H&M and the company working with Wal-Mart are located around the corner from a major collection point for New York Cares, which conducts a coat drive every winter.
Update: apparently this story caused quite a stir today— H&M has already put out a statement saying "it will not happen again."
Tagged
clothing
damaged goods
hm
merchandise
poor
poverty
retail
unsold
unsold goods
wal-Mart
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
As Bat Week begins, state wildlife officials urge New Yorkers to protect bats, which play an important role in the environment.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 6:44 p.m. ET
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
News
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .