Greensboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. — a manufacturer of textured yarns and related raw materials, including Repreve® fibers and yarns made with post-consumer and post-industrial recycled polyester and nylon content — in partnership with Lawrence, Mass.-based performance fabric maker Polartec LLC, has launched the Repreve Textile Takeback Program to collect polyester-based textile manufacturing waste and used post-consumer fabrics and recycle them into Repreve Takeback fiber that will be processed into Repreve polyester yarn.
According to Unifi, millions of pounds of post-industrial textile waste are disposed of in landfills annually. "The Textile Takeback Program provides the industry with a responsible and sustainable outlet for this waste, while expanding the growth and reach of the Repreve brand," said Unifi President and COO Roger Berrier.
Lansing, Mich.-based military apparel manufacturer and Polartec customer Peckham Inc. is working with Unifi and Polartec to define a process by which Polartec fabric waste can be recycled back into Polartec's own branded Repreve 100 yarn, which going forward will include recycled content from both post-consumer plastic bottles and used fabrics. The yarn will be used to make Polartec performance fabrics for outdoor apparel applications.
"In typical garment manufacturing, 10 to 20 percent of all fabric produced becomes cut-waste left over after panels are cut," said Andy Vecchione, president and CEO, Polartec, noting that the fabric waste typically is either downcycled into batting or ends up in a landfill. In stressing Polartec's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, he added, "In 2011 over 40 percent of our total production will utilize Repreve 100 recycled yarns and we expect that number to grow in 2012 and beyond."