A new infrared-based technology promises to give textiles recycling a giant leap forward by replacing manual sorting with an automated method, according to its developers.
Southwest Finland-based recycling firm LSJH has developed technology for sorting waste textiles in collaboration with the Lahti University of Applied Sciences and materials sensor equipment manufacturer Spectral Engines.
Lidl has said that it has become the first supermarket in the UK to introduce reusable fruit and vegetable bags across all stores nationwide to help reduce plastic waste in the long term.
A Lidl spokesman told Bio Market Insights that the bags were made from durable polyester and were designed to be “machine-washable and long lasting”.
The bags, priced at 69p for two, aim to provide customers with a reusable alternative to single-use, small fruit and vegetable bags.
Volcom, a modern lifestyle brand that represents the creative spirit of youth culture, has announced the worldwide launch of Water Aware, a denim collection for men’s, women’s and kids. A significant milestone in Volcom's journey to sustainability, Water Aware features a reformulated, water-saving wash and finishing process in the production of denim resulting in an average savings of 13 litres of water per jean.
Alpek Polyester, an integrated business unit of Alpek, S.A.B. de C.V. and Charlotte, North Carolina-based DAK Americas LLC, has announced that it has joined The Recycling Partnership, Falls Church, Virginia, as an active member in support of the organization’s goals of increasing residential recycling rates and the need for increased availability of recycled materials to enable the creation of circular business models.
Stemming from stories about the effect of plastic pollution on animals to microplastics in the Marianas Trench, awareness is growing about the impact of plastic waste on the environment. This, plus awareness of sustainable materials, has led to increased consumer adoption of environmentally friendly products with special attention given to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), also known as polyester.
Spanish fashion retailer Zara has announced that 100 per cent of the cotton, linen and polyester used in its clothing will be more sustainable, organic or recycled by 2025.
Zara's holding group, Inditex – the world's third largest clothing company according to Forbes – made the sustainability pledge at its annual shareholders' meeting on 16 July.
The company stated that it will only use cotton, linen and polyester that is "organic, more sustainable or recycled", as one of a number of sustainable targets for the next six years.
"Sustainability is a never-ending task"
The Italian house has partnered with Aquafil to create the signature fabric from ocean plastics and waste materials
All the way back in 1978, Miuccia Prada took over the helm of family brand Prada, and a year later debuted the house’s iconic nylon – previously used by her grandfather for trunk coverings – in the form of backpacks and totes.
Global sustainability initiative Fashion for Good, in collaboration with global professional service provider Accenture Strategy, has launched a new report today that for the first time explores the financial viability of circular business models in the fashion industry.
Chemical Recycling Enables Production of Polyester Film Containing 70% Post-Consumer Recyclate.
The development of these films was made possible thanks to investments in chemical recycling. This technology uses post-consumer PET bottles. The bottle flakes are depolymerized to monomers and in the further polymerization transformed to PCR PET resins suitable for extrusion into BOPET films. This operation can be repeated indefinitely and the BOPET produced with this technology are suitable for direct food contact in accordance to USFDA and European legislation.
Demeto, a European project established to build a network of like-minded organisations in the PET industry with the goal of creating disruptive recycling solutions, has announced the addition of polyester fibre producer Kolon to its Industrial Advisory Board (IAB).
