Uniqlo Introducing clothes made from recycled plastic bottles
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Japansese fashion retailer Uniqlo and Toray Industries have created apparel made from recycled down and fabric from polyester fibres made with recycled PET bottles.
The technology partnership will lead to clothes made from recycled plastic bottles going on sale next year in Singapore and other Asian markets.
Used Ultra Light Down pieces will be collected by Uniqlo stores and go through extraction process run by Toray-developed system. Materials then will be cleansed for use in new down merchandise. The collection program started this month initially only in Japan. Some down products from the 2020 Fall/Winter season will use the recycled material.
“Uniqlo is committed to improving the sustainability of society,” said Tadashi Yanai, Uniqlo’s founder and chairman.
“To this end, we will soon begin our new initiative with Toray that promotes the use of recycled materials. Through such an important partnership, we can continue to offer high-performance, high-quality, and sustainable clothing to all customers around the world.”
President of Toray Industries, Akihiro Nikkaku said that the companies challenged themselves to seek solutions for global social issues as they believe that ‘materials can change our lives’.
Next year, Uniqlo will produce Dry-Ex pieces of clothing that combine high-value-added polyester fibers derived from reclaimed PET bottles – clothes made from recycled plastic.
Questions & Answers
Q.When and where will the new recycled clothing first be available for customers to purchase?
When and where will the new recycled clothing first be available for customers to purchase?
Clothes made from recycled plastic bottles will go on sale next year. They will initially be available in Singapore and other Asian markets, offering customers new sustainable apparel options.
Q.Which specific types of clothing will incorporate these new recycled materials?
Which specific types of clothing will incorporate these new recycled materials?
Some down products from the 2020 Fall/Winter season will use the recycled material. Also, next year Uniqlo will produce Dry-Ex pieces made with high-value-added polyester fibres from reclaimed PET bottles.
Q.Where are customers currently able to participate in Uniqlo's collection programme for used down items?
Where are customers currently able to participate in Uniqlo's collection programme for used down items?
The collection programme for used Ultra Light Down pieces started this month, but initially it is only available in Japan. Uniqlo stores there will collect the items for recycling.
Q.Who is the technology partner working with Uniqlo on this new apparel initiative?
Who is the technology partner working with Uniqlo on this new apparel initiative?
Toray Industries is Uniqlo's technology partner in this initiative. They have developed the system for extracting and cleansing materials from collected down items and creating new fibres from PET bottles.
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