Workwear brand Regatta Professional is to unveil a new range of garments, Recycle.me, which are all designed to be recycled.
It has created the collection with not-for-profit organisation The Circular Textiles Foundation (CTF) and Project Re:claim – a joint venture between Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) and sustainable corporatewear specialist Project Plan B.
The Recycle.me collection for men and women includes a thermal jacket, bodywarmer, softshell, fleece and polo in two colourways. It is due to be launched in May this year.
The range uses 100% polyester mono-fibre fabric and trims to ensure it can be recycled through Project Re:claim which is the UK’s first polyester mechanical recycler designed for fibre-to-fibre recycling.
The garments also carry CTF’s Infinitee certification mark, proving each garment has been designed to be recycled. The mark supports the return of materials back into the supply chain, maximising long-term value.
Regatta Professional has launched a take-back scheme to ensure the Recycle.me garments do not end up in landfill or incineration at the end of their life. The scheme operated by SATCoL features donation points available across the UK including Northern Ireland.
Anthony Haber, managing director of Regatta Professional, said: “As a business, we’ve dedicated time and resource to ensure Recycle.me is a lifelong success and a model for the industry in working to reduce waste and return useful materials back into the supply chain.
“Our work with CTF began last year in a first step to be awarded their expert certification and has led to a joint venture we’re incredibly proud to be spearheading.
“Recycle.me marks an important milestone for us, but it is only the beginning. We are excited about building a long-term partnership with everyone involved as we continue working together to drive meaningful progress and create lasting positive change across the UK textiles industry.”
Regatta Professional, part of the Regatta Group, has developed the new range in the face of data which shows that less than 1% of clothing in the UK is currently being recycled back into textiles.
In the UK, more than 700,000 tonnes of textile materials, including polyester, are discarded into household waste each year, according to a report from global environmental non-profit Wrap.
