Victoria’s Secret criticised for waste after dumping hundreds of bras in bin

Victoria’s Secret has faced criticism after hundreds of unworn bras were reportedly found dumped in a bin close to a branch of the lingerie store.

Melanie Gelinas from Colorado, USA, who lives in the building above the store, made the discovery and told 9News she was upset at the volume of waste when there are people in need.

The restaurant owner told the American news network: “These are all going to a landfill. They could be going to a homeless shelter or a [women’s refuge] shelter.”

Gelinas said she felt not only was it “a waste of money” but that people would have gladly taken the bras for free: “Wouldn’t a mum like to get a brand new bra from Victoria’s Secret who’s living in a shelter?”

A spokesperson from the brand confirmed that the bras had been binned as the store was closing and they were samples from displays or damaged, and that some of the inventory had been relocated to other shops.

They told The Independent: “We are sorry for how this may appear. Because this store was closing, we damaged out sample products including bras from our fitting rooms. All remaining inventory was reallocated to other stores.”

But the discovery comes at a time when the fashion industry is being criticised for ongoing environmental damage: Extinction Rebellion called for London Fashion Week to be cancelled.

According to a study by WRAP (waste and resources action programme), the volume of new clothes bought in the UK produces more carbon emissions per minute than driving a car around the circumference of the Earth six times.

And 300,000 tonnes of clothing was sent to landfill in 2016 alone. 

Victoria’s Secret has also come under fire for reported “widespread bullying and harassment of employees and models”, as reported in the New York Times.

In 2019 chief marketing officer at Victoria’s Secret Ed Razek stepped down after comments that the brand would not cast transgender or plus-sized models “because the show is a fantasy”.

The Independent has contacted L Brand and Victoria’s Secret for comment.