By recycling over 30 billion water bottles to make Repreve, Unifi has saved enough energy to power over 280,000 homes for a year, provide yearly drinking water for 3.5 billion people and eliminate the CO2 emissions from 1.8 billion barrels of oil. energy savings and reducing cycle time without compromising your fabric's performance. safe to wear clothing made from plastic water bottles, robust, government-regulated recycling program, United States alone, 1,500 plastic water bottles. The GRS aligns with recycled definitions across multiple applications and follows the ISO 14021 definition, with interpretations based on the United States Federal Trade Commission Green Guides. But you might have bigger things to worry about than even the polyester. Is not news that billions of plastic bottles go into landfills every year and that they take at least 1000 years to decompose. However, the catch is that while PET itself is safe to wear, dyes and other finishing processes the natural or synthetic yarn goes through on its way to become that shirt or bikini can still contain harmful substances. Food Safe Hook-Compatible Loop Waterproof PUL Stay Dry Stretch-FIT View All Functions By Brands. The fiber is now wound into spools and transformed into yarns through spinning. This Repreve Polyester Yarn is made out of recycled water bottles! Together, we're changing how products are made. The document you have requested is ready for you to download. Many of the everyday brands you know and love use REPREVE for its high-quality performance. REPREVE performance combined with trusted sustainability makes a big difference for our future. Repreve Recycled Fabrics Zorb Super Absorbent Waterproof Eco-PUL ProCool One-Way Wicking Bamboo Fabrics You may know that polyester is the most widely used material in clothing, but did you know that nearly 60% of all garments for sale today contain polyester? Even if you dont spot our label, buying sustainable or recycled items is always a better choice. Repreve polyester is a performance recycled fiber certified by independent third-party organizations. . But with the continued increase in consumer demand for sustainable apparel solutions, innovation research and development will continue to grow in tandem. Since Repreve's sustainability impact often overshadows its performance capabilities, let's first look at what this fabric is good at from a functional standpoint. For each kilogram of Repreve material produced, up to 62% less energy and 99% less water are used compared to virgin polyester. The goal of the GRS is to drive higher percentages of recycled content in products and reduce the harmful impact of production on people and the environment. It limits pressure on natural resources, reduces waste, pollution, and emissions. Even washing polyester fabrics release plastic microfibers into waterways that pollute entire food chains, kill land and marine wildlife, and endanger human health. Synthetic fabrics often used Repreve polyester in blends of various materials, with elastane (spandex), nylon, or natural fibers, which makes recycling difficult, not commercially viable, even impossible in some cases. Its fabrication requires plastic PET bottles that are collected, washed, sorted, chopped, melted, and reformed into new polyester chips, ready to be extruded into long filaments. Whereas finishes are always off-gassing, sloughing off, or mixing with your sweat. *By completing this form you're signing up to receive our emails and can unsubscribe at any time. Hey there! Brands that want to change the world by using REPREVE receive their own profile page on our website. Spin filament threads into yarn and dye as necessary. Putting sustainability and innovation together in REPREVE polyester: with high-performing technologies consumers cant live without. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. We created the REPREVE brand to foster a sustainable world by diverting plastic bottlesbillions of themfrom landfills and oceans. In the end, many of us care about both human and environmental health, but I think it is worthwhile to make the distinction, Mulvihill told me in 2019. We source, manufacture and sell innovative performance fiber in every major textile-producing region in the world. If current trends continue, our oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050. In this sense, Repreve fiber uses far less energy and water than traditional polyester manufacturing processes - in fact, recycled polyester has 32% fewer emissions compared to virgin polyester. In other words, hes an expert. Meet The Eco-Friendly Vegea, Sustainable Style: An Interview with Instagram Fashion Influencer Jelena Simeonov, 21 Types Of Fashion Styles You Can Wear In 2023. Access is easily granted if: You include your full name. We're still trying to characterize what the harm is there. Soon after, Unifi began sourcing consumer plastic water bottles to be used in the process, which had profound ecological benefits. Rome is fascinating and romantic. It is a polyester fiber. REPREVE Our Ocean is an option for your brand to tell an ocean-focused story, or stand specifically for the good of our oceans. Repreve polyester fabric is easy to care for and wash. Fashion brands are increasingly offering tops, outerwear, shoes, underwear, and even scrunchies made from recycled plastic water bottles. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. And all the alternatives are 100% green. Our Food Safe fabrics feature a range of vinyls and PULs that are certified safe to handle, package and store food items. That means the melted plastic is put through a machine you heat it up and the plastic that went in one side, a flake comes out the other side in a long filament, and that is chopped up into pellets. The bottles are collected within 50K of coastlines in countries or areas that lack formal waste or recycling systems, so your brand can play an even bigger role in solving the ocean pollution problem: developing recycling programs in areas where plastic is most at risk of entering a marine environment. Available Finishes: Additional Documentation: Pick-A-Print: This Endurance Repreve Recycled Polyester Spandex is perfect for any activewear market! Repreve Recycled Polyester Fabrics Collection. How was it washed and dyed? Mechanical recycling means melting the fabric back into a liquid or melting the plastic bottle back into a liquid. The latter method, according to a 2017 Swiss Federal Office for the Environment report, has been used for years in the industry while studies for chemical recycling to make it more accessible are still being conducted. Her theory was that, as a recycled plastic, rPET fabric contains harmful endocrine-disrupting substances like BPA or phthalates that will interfere with your thyroid function and hormones. When it comes to emissions and waste, there is currently some debate about whether recycling water bottles into fabric instead of into water bottles is actually the better choice. REPREVE offers innovative technologies that help to enhance your products. Repreve is made by Unifi, a manufacturer of specialty synthetic yarns that's been creating textiles for over 50 years. Were everywhere from clothes and shoes to sofas and phone cases. This sustainable alternative to virgin cationic yarns is made with recycled materials, and offers the ability to achieve 100% REPREVE heathers or solids. But thats not a hard-and-fast rule. You can place them in the washing machine but with a temperature lower than 40 degrees Celcius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). REPREVE was designed to be sustainable and certifiable. So, what is Repreve fabric? Finally, the chip is heated, extruded and spun into the options shown in our Fiber Folio. Eco-conscious shoppers should, ideally, be able to find these certifications on a brands website. Repreve is water-resistant and stain-resistant; it dries quickly and cleans easy. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. What you dont want to happen is to have two facilities, where one of them is a water bottle factory and youre just buying [new] water bottles from them [versus using post-consumer water bottles]. Repreve polyester is just as strong and durable as virgin polyester. The flakes are then melted and spun into Repreve filament yarn. If you prefer nylon and polyester, make sure to check out our roundup of sustainable athletic brands, many of which are completely non-toxic. They are then chopped, cleaned, and crushed into flakes. Aware of the increasing demand for polyester and sustainable fashion, Unifi originally produced Repreve fiber using the company's own industrial waste - that's right, their own discarded single-use plastic water bottles. Thank you so much for buying something through our link, as we may earn a commission that supports us. That said, contamination severely impacts the quality of fiber, so a lot of time and effort goes to removing any non-PET contamination. First Name *. But can you recycle it andwear itand be OK? To catch some of these microfibers before they make their way into the water system, brands like Rothys sell accompanying wash bags while Girlfriend Collective offers a microfiber filter for your washing machine. But what is more shocking than that, is that these same bottles can be turned into actual, wearable fabric. Recycling textile waste is a step in the right direction. Afterward, the bottles are loaded onto a conveyor belt, where they are sorted and cleaned thoroughly. Thats because the research shows that it takes 38 days of a water bottle being heated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for antimony to reach unsafe levels, and that is for water that you ingest, not fabric against your skin. technology. Repreve eco-friendly fibers are generally used with digital printing sublimation techniques to craft stylish swimwear and activewear, but also pants, shirts, shorts, jeans, blouses, dresses, jackets, and more. Made from up to 3 recycled plastic water bottles per yard, it is truly environmentally friendly. The reason brands are recognizing the utility of recycled polyester and leaning into [it], too, is also from customer demand because consumers are [becoming more aware] of [the detrimental impacts] of having plastic in the ocean., Reformations Chief Sustainability Officer and Vice President of Operations Kathleen Talbot adds, Theres no denying that the average consumer has an increased awareness of the global impact of fashion and the culture of waste it fosters. TRUSTED. Perfect for comfortable ear loops for standard, surgical and KN95 and N95 respirator masks. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. With Unifi's Fiberprint technology, products made from fabrics with Repreve . And wherever we workwhich can be wherever you choose to do businesswe have the consistent service, flexibility and high-quality, innovative products you demand. Recycled polyester is a leading example of how the global textile and apparel industry works to find solutions to its catastrophic social and environmental impacts. Using recycled fibers like Repreve for clothing reduces fashion's impact. UNIFI, REPREVE, REPREVE Our Ocean, For The Good of Tomorrow, PROFIBER, UNIFIBER, A.M.Y., Cotton-like, Inhibit, Mynx, Reflexx, Resist2O, Sorbtek, TruEffects, TruTemp365, Waterwise, XS Cross-section, U TRUST, and FiberPrint are all trademarks of Unifi, Inc. in the U.S. and other regions. More than 20 billion plastic bottles have been used since 2008 to produce Repreve polyester. A few years ago, a friend forwarded an Instagram story to me from a wellness influencer who was warning her followers against wearing clothing made from recycled bottles. Less than 10% of all plastic is recycled. Ultimately, polyester can be recycled, recreated, and remolded and become brand new again to create new products without having to use new resources. Other ways to reduce microfiber shedding is to invest in front-loading machines, which are shown to release fewer microfibers than top-loading machines, and to simply wash your clothes on cold water and wash less often. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Through strategically located partners and ventures, we source, manufacture, consult and sell in locations around the world, from China to the Americas. To begin diving into this topic, youll need to be briefed on how a plastic water bottle (known as polyethylene terephthalate or PET) gets turned into a yarn of recycled polyester, which fashion brands can then use to create a jacket or shirt. Branding by Idil Berken. It is also a certified and traceable fiber, which makes it even more coveted for labels. In the U.S., our vertically integrated processes transform plastic bottles into amazing recycled performance fiber. Maybe, the problem is the polyester itself. Is REPREVE fabric stretchy? Fifteen billion plastic bottles recycled and counting. One of REPREVEs main properties is its water resistance. . There are some environmental trade-offs [when] compared to cotton because cotton uses a lot more water, and cotton dying is actually a lot nastier than polyester dying. Unifi's U Trust verification program ensures that Repreve recycled fibers are traceable, transparent, and most importantly, certifiably sustainable. Is REPREVE fabric waterproof? Repreve polyester fabric is widely used in the textile and apparel industry. CEH specified that the common denominator was polyester contentcotton socks were fine. The fabric is used to make a wide range of garments, including swim trunks, activewear, outdoor gear, etc. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. It is also water repellent and wrinkle resistant. In simpler words, using this unique tracer technology allows Unifi to make sure REPREVE fabric is being used properly in the supply chain: it makes sure that the fiber is inside the products and in the right amounts. REPREVE is the worlds number one brand of recycled performance fiber. The sacrificial polymer dissolves and results in ultra-micro dpf as low as 0.06. The fabric also traps odors, which Popular Science explained in an article. One of the biggest benefits for Repreve fabric to cooperate with Ford is Ford is one of best-selling vehicle company in the world such as F-150 is the best-selling truck in America, and as orders . Labels from agencies like Oeko-Tex or those under the Textile Exchange nonprofit are more important than ever, in this case, in providing consumers with transparency that a synthetic garment is safe to wear. Absolutely, it is. Repreve is now one of the most recognizable brands of recycled polyester. REPREVE fabric is made by Unifi, a leading global textile producer that offers technology-driven solutions to labels from all around the world. Were not on a climate countdown. The bottles are collected from recycling plants. I am a freelance fashion writer, working alongside brands and entrepreneurs from the textile and fashion industry, who are walking the path of sustainability. Unlike recycled polyester which requires oil-based inputs at a post-consumer stage, bioplastics are renewable alternatives derived from natural sources. sustainability Get in touch with our team, and let us know how we can help. After all, if the chemical is in polyester, it has to leach out before it can be absorbed into your skin. Compared to virgin fiber, REPREVE helps to offset the use of petroleum, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and conserving water and energy in the process. Repreve may suffer from some unavoidable environmental costs but is far more sustainable than creating virgin synthetic fabrics. Toxic chemicals aside, synthetic fabrics simply don't breathe, and anyone who's worn polyester on a hot summer day is probably well aware of that. After all, youve likely heeded the advice to not reuse single-use plastic bottles over and over they can leach chemicals and harbor bacteria growth so what would, then, make plastic safe to wear on your body. In the production of polyester fabric, BPA can be used to create hygroscopic and antistatic fabric with colorfastness to washing. Her theory was that, as a recycled plastic, rPET fabric contains harmful endocrine-disrupting substances like BPA or phthalates that will interfere with your thyroid function and hormones. Repreve is a recycled polyester brand name by Unifi, an American fiber manufacturer founded by George Allen Mebane IV in 1971. Were counting up. This clever yarn imprint means we can verify products with our U Trust certification. Polyester fibers take hundreds of years to decompose. We think customers are savvy and educated, so the more brands that can be on the same page, the better for everyone., Purchasing a garment made from recycled water bottles doesnt free you completely from contributing to plastic waste, though. 2023 Ecocult. Someone from our Sales Team will be in touch soon to assist you further with your interest in Unifi. To answer this question, I turned to Dr. Martin Mulvihill, a trained chemist, researcher, and senior advisor and board member at the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry, which he helped create and where he served as the founding initial Executive Director from 2010 to 2015. REPREVE can be made into recycled polyester, nylon yarns, staple fiber, fiberfill, and resin too. Zorb Super Absorbent ProSoft ECO-PUL We collaborated with REPREVE to create this collection of sustainable fabrics made from landfill and ocean-bound plastic bottles. Since the increased environmental awareness and concerns for people, animals, and the planet, sustainability has been gaining traction in the fashion industry. If youve ever used a hot glue gun, [this process] is very similar to that, says Martin Mulvihill co-founder of Safer Made, a venture capital firm that invests in other companies and technologies to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products and supply chains. Polyester is a synthetic material and form of plastic made from non-renewable resources like petroleum. According to Oeko-Tex, BPA can be added in the manufacturing of polyester as an intermediary step to improve the natural properties and lifespan of a fabric. Once plastic water bottles are melted down, theyre then re-extruded. That means, wherever our customers do businesswe provide high-quality, innovative products with transparency, integrity and consistency. Hormones regulate so many different vital processes in our bodies; just a tiny amount can throw things out of wack. It's not necessary to iron your clothes made of Repreve. It can be hard to choose your best outfit when visiting another city, especially when it comes to Rome. Vegan Leather Made From Grapes? And since polyester is not biodegradable, once a consumer is finished with it, it most often ends up in landfills. While Repreve is the leading provider of recycled polyester, other materials are similarly focused on the sustainability of textile manufacturing. They also get to see and feel REPREVE-based products made by popular brands. It partners with a recycling facility in Taiwan to obtain the pellets that are then taken to Girlfriends own spinning mill where yarn is produced. It limits pressure on natural resources, reduces waste, pollution, and emissions. It preserves the quality of your Repreve garments and saves an enormous amount of energy, carbon emissions, and money. Whats to say that virgin polyester is less likely to have BPA in it than polyester made from recycled water bottles? Look for Oeko-Tex, GOTS, and bluesign labels. It also releases pollutants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Lucky Textile Mills Limited, a China-based textile mill that has created sustainable fabrics that perform in both hot and cold weather using REPREVE TruTemp365. Our #TurnItGreen mobile tour never fails to wow.. The innovative polyester fiber reduces greenhouse gas emissions, water, and energy consumption. Plastic products like Repreve will be sitting in landfills for up to 500 years before they fully biodegrade. Theres always something that you add in to make it more resistant to UV or more resistant to heat or more resistant to a lot of different things., Recently, the Center for Environmental Health in California found BPA in socks from 88 different brands. And, thats just a partial list. Additionally, petroleum-based products like Repreve can create microplastics that leach into the soil and oceans and harm both human and animal health. PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate. Through REPREVE, one of Unifi's proprietary technologies and the global leader in branded recycled performance fibers, Unifi has transformed more than 30 billion plastic bottles into recycled . 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