Fashion created from recycled plastics
If we talk about fashion made from recycled plastics, we will start an intense debate.
On the one hand, media and consumers, passionate a few months ago about the consolidation of recycled plastics in the fashion industry, are wondering whether this is enough, even questioning the plastic recycling rates achieved by the sector. On the other hand, a holistic view tells us that steps are being taken in the right direction.
Media and consumers have been influenced by discouraging greenwashing campaigns, which governments are trying to fight, and even customers themselves are demanding real information based on external product auditing to ensure traceability of the materials used. This, coupled with the low recycling rate and the still prevailing fast fashion, discourages previously enthusiastic responsible consumers and puts the fashion sector in the spotlight of public opinion.
But sometimes, when we look at an issue too closely and too short term, we forget to take a holistic view, which in this case is essential. Let us look not only at the work of reusing and removing the plastic waste that is generated from landfill, or from the oceans, but at a more important objective. This objective is awareness-raising.
Indeed, fashion has always been the medium on which messages have been launched. Social changes and political trends are always reflected in fashion, because fashion also educates. Fashion is the easiest way to get a message across. This could well be said of the Spanish firm Ecoalf, which has spread its famous “Because there is no planet B” to many corners of the world. Its concise message has reached many people who, little by little, have been learning about plastic recycling through fashion, and raising awareness of the real problem facing humanity.
A double objective: collection of plastic and raising awareness
From his side, Parely in a long term collaboration with Adidas “Ocean Waves” make use of Adidas reputation and media investment capacity to get the message across.
What’s more, the Ocean Waves sunglasses each contain a unique GPS coordinate that links them to the island from which the plastic was sourced. And now we can ask ourselves if this double objective, the collection of plastic waste from the sea, together with raising awareness, really makes us move even faster towards circularity.
Obviously, a pair of sunglasses has little plastic in it, but it does raise awareness, it does make it easier for consumers to decide to reuse, recycle and reduce their consumption. And it is at that moment that a double and necessary objective is fulfilled.
A recent survey, carried out in the United States, indicated that the majority of customers did not know the origin of the materials that make up their clothes. It almost seemed like science fiction when they realised that many of them were made almost 100% of polyester.
Few people even imagined that this polyester could be recycled. There is still a knowledge gap, which means that consumers are not fully aware of what they are buying, and their purchasing power is underestimated, as well as their enthusiasm when they learn that a garment comes from recycled materials. This is why it is important for companies in the fashion sector to communicate, and to set themselves the dual objective of providing consumers with sustainable garments, while informing them and raising awareness.
Other actions, such as the collections of designer Ganit Goldstein, who works with handmade designs made with 3D printing or fashion shows such as “The ShadowBall fashion show” in which designers make use of single-use plastics to create exciting designs, carry out a fundamental awareness-raising work. Because the drive for circularity in fashion helps to raise awareness among consumers beyond the fashion industry. It is more than evident that it makes them change their consumption patterns across the entire spectrum of consumer goods.
OnlyPlast Spain has been part of the circular economy for years, as a company that sells and distributes recycled plastics worldwide. We investigate different sectors, research and applications in order to help promote the circular economy.
