lululemon expands HK circularity push with take-back scheme

Lululemon is bringing back its "Like New" circular take-back and resale initiative to Hong Kong following a successful pilot last year, expanding the programme to include a new academic partnership focused on future design talent.

Building on last year's successful pilot, lululemon is expanding the programme to Hong Kong to deepen its commitment to circular solutions. This return centres on broadening collaboration with partners and the community to advance circularity.

The programme is designed for lululemon's diverse communities in Hong Kong, including guests and existing members who own the brand's gear and are seeking a trusted, meaningful way to keep high-quality items in circulation, according to a lululemon spokesperson. The initiative also welcomes the wider community and individuals to drop off gently used gear, including non-lululemon items, to unlock greater possibilities for circularity together.

Starting today, the sportswear brand has opened product collection points at six select stores across the city. In an effort to promote broader textile circularity, community members are invited to drop off gently used gear—including both lululemon and non-lululemon items.

The collected apparel will be handled in partnership with Hong Kong-based fashion NGO Redress, which will sort and process the items for resale, donation, or recycling. Items designated for donation will be directed to local communities and local non-profit Crossroads Foundation.

The activation will culminate in November 2026 with a dedicated, limited-time "Like New pop-up" retail experience, where a curated selection of pre-loved lululemon pieces will be available for purchase.

Consumers can participate in the take-back programme at various lululemon locations across Hong Kong, such as Pacific Place, Time Square, Cityplaza, ELEMENTS and New Town Plaza. 

Lululemon is executing an integrated approach across multiple in-store and digital touchpoints to maximise community reach. For in-store engagement, product collection is available via dedicated in-store touchpoints at select lululemon stores across Hong Kong, including Queen's Road Central, Pacific Place, Times Square, Cityplaza, ELEMENTS, and New Town Plaza.

On digital and social media channels, lululemon is driving momentum through organic and paid social media content, and engagement with influencers and its community of lululemon ambassadors. This is further supported by broad-scale earned media outreach and press distribution targeting business, lifestyle, education, and green media outlets.

The marketing strategy centres on a two-phase community activation with consumer incentives including appreciation vouchers, according to the spokesperson. The initiative kicks off with a product take-back phase from 2 July to 30 September, followed by a "Like new pop-up event" in November offering a limited-time shopping experience.

Distinguishing this year’s rollout from previous circularity campaigns, lululemon has teamed up with the School of Fashion & Textiles at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch RE:FORM, a new circular design competition.

The initiative aims to bridge industry practice with academic design education. Participating students will be challenged to apply circular design principles to extend garment life cycles. Winners, who will also be announced in November, will receive mentorship and on-site work experience opportunities with lululemon.

PolyU has been chosen as a partner, as its School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) is globally recognised for its strengths in performance-driven design and technical expertise, and is the primary degree-granting institution in Hong Kong to offer activewear design programmes. According to the spokesperson, this collaboration allows lululemon to explore how creativity and education can inspire circular thinking in the next generation and foster a more circular ecosystem in Hong Kong.

“We’re proud to welcome Like New back to Hong Kong,” said Joey Chan, regional director of lululemon Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. “This initiative reflects our continued commitment to extending the use of our products, and expanding how we collaborate with partners and our community to drive circularity forward.”

“Last year, Like New showed us that circular innovation can be fun, meaningful and deeply community driven,” said Chan. “As we build on that momentum, we’re exploring how creativity and education can create new ways for our community to engage with the brand they love. Beyond Like New, our collaboration with PolyU focuses on design education to inspire circular thinking in the next generation.”

“It is a pleasure to partner once again with iconic brand lululemon, building on last year’s successful Like New pilot,” said Christina Dean, founder and chair of Redress. “Fashion holds a unique power to shift mindsets. Collaborative initiatives like this encourage mindful consumption and cultivate a circular fashion future for Hong Kong.”

“This partnership connects circular fashion education directly with industry practice, offering meaningful learning opportunities for our students,” said Chloe Ki, associate professor of fashion business, school of fashion & textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “The collaboration is more than an educational experience—it represents a meaningful academic–industry model that strengthens knowledge exchange and demonstrates how partnerships can foster a more circular ecosystem.”

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