Chana Rosenthal on Leading Sustainability in Fashion and Delivering Good’s Impact
For our DG Spotlight, we sat down with Chana Rosenthal, a seasoned sustainability expert with a deep passion for transforming the fashion industry. With her extensive experience in design, strategy, and sustainable business practices, Chana is leading the way in helping brands adopt more responsible and circular approaches. We’re excited to share her insights on sustainability, the challenges brands face, and the role of organizations like Delivering Good in advancing positive change. Keep reading to learn more about her work and how she’s helping shape a more sustainable future for fashion.
How is the changing apparel industry driving brands to address waste and excess inventory through initiatives like product donations?
The apparel industry has become increasingly competitive with advancements in technology and the rise of ultra-fast fashion players. These companies not only offer low prices but also dramatically increase speed to market. With greater accessibility to brands, predicting the right product assortment has become more challenging, leading many brands to overproduce.
Currently, the industry produces over 100 billion garments annually, often using harmful production methods involving toxic chemicals, land degradation, and exploitative labor practices. These environmental and social costs are further compounded when excess clothing ends up in landfills. Brands may not always realize the financial risks associated with excess inventory—including warehousing costs, future regulatory implications, and potential reputational damage when their labels appear in landfills, such as those in Kathmandu and Chile.
The challenge lies in reducing financial risk while adapting to an evolving marketplace. Product donation offers brands a strategic business opportunity—helping to cut warehousing costs, qualify for tax benefits, and enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Additionally, employee engagement and retention benefit when a company supports philanthropic initiatives.
How can brands integrate ESG practices to minimize excess inventory and improve product lifecycles?
A core principle of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy is understanding a company’s impact on both people and the planet. While overproduction contributes to an overwhelming secondhand market—leading to devastating waste crises in places like Ghana and Chile—it is also tied to livelihoods across global economies. From cotton farms in India to wool producers in Peru, supply chains must balance sustainability with economic realities.
Brands have the opportunity to shift from valuing quantity to prioritizing quality—a key ESG approach. Instead of focusing solely on lower supplier costs and higher margins, investing in better-made products can increase customer retention and brand loyalty. Consumers are willing to pay for durable, high-quality products that last longer.
Incorporating circular business models, such as product take-back programs or partnerships with third-party providers, can extend a product’s lifecycle. Additionally, pre-order models help brands better predict demand, reducing waste while leveraging customer insights to inform future product development. Each company’s approach to ESG will depend on its business model, product assortment, and sourcing strategy.
How can Delivering Good help advance conversations about responsible production and social impact in fashion?
Delivering Good plays a unique role in addressing the twin challenges of excess inventory and social impact by distributing NEW products to those in need. Unlike many nonprofits that rely on used clothing donations, Delivering Good ensures that recipients receive high-quality, brand-new apparel—providing both dignity and durability.
This was especially evident during the recent LA wildfires, where donated products made an immediate impact. While many well-intentioned individuals contributed used clothing, much of it was unwearable—stained, torn, or otherwise unsuitable for those in crisis. In contrast, Delivering Good’s network mobilized new, high-quality donations, ensuring that affected individuals received essential items that would last.
By continuing to highlight the importance of donating new products, Delivering Good not only supports communities in need but also encourages brands to think more critically about their production practices and the long-term value of their goods.
How can brands use product donations as part of a broader sustainability and CSR strategy?
Beyond its social benefits, product donation aligns with broader sustainability and CSR strategies in a way that also improves business outcomes. According to NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business’s Return on Sustainable Investment (ROSI) methodology, brands that integrate sustainability into their operations see tangible benefits—ranging from tax credits to increased customer loyalty and employee retention.
"Product donation is more than philanthropy—it’s a strategic business decision that reduces costs, enhances CSR efforts, and strengthens employee retention."
For customers, a brand’s social impact can drive sales—consumers are more likely to support companies that align with their values. For employees, engaging in corporate philanthropy can improve job satisfaction, reducing turnover and the associated costs of rehiring. Most importantly, keeping products in circularity—whether through donation or resale—helps reduce waste and enhance sustainability efforts.
What inspires you to continue your work in sustainability, and why do you support Delivering Good’s mission?
While my transition into sustainable business stems partly from a desire to address past unsustainable design practices, my primary motivation is a deep belief in the potential for responsible, environmentally conscious fashion. With climate change accelerating, I feel a responsibility to develop viable, long-term solutions for the industry.
At this stage in my career, I am committed to initiatives that can transform the industry, and Delivering Good is a key part of that vision. As climate-related disasters become more frequent, the role of organizations like Delivering Good will only grow in importance—helping brands redirect excess inventory to those in need, rather than allowing it to become waste.
