SUSTAINABLE JACKET MADE OF RECYCLED POLYESTER.....

Have you completely lost your mind?

Okay, I’m going to get straight to the point, because I know what you’re thinking. Vera! Polyester? In your shop? Yeah, I think I’m still having to get used to it myself. You see, I am an absolute "polyester is not allowed in" person. Precisely because I know that there is quite a bit of greenwashing going on in the world of polyester. What’s more, I have to run a spellcheck over my text by default because I seriously don’t even know how to spell it.... So, when Yvonne from Lanius said to me: "Veer, these jackets are actually essential in your shop, because this jacket actually has a good story," I finally decided to listen. Because had I already told you that I’m stubborn? I am stubborn. Very much so.

GREENWASHING & POLYESTER

When I heard how things stand with recycled polyester (which you can now buy almost anywhere), I got an instant stomach ache. Apparently, there are entire factories in China producing PET bottles that (and here’s the kicker) are manufactured specifically to make polyester clothing. The bottles are melted down UNUSED into a textile fiber, and with that, brands are allowed to describe or label it under the guise of: recycled polyester: Nice and sustainable... And there isn't a word of a lie in that. But, this is bizarre, right?

Read this again: "Melting down unused bottles into clothing. So that the brands (and shops) can say it’s sustainable." What a joke.

But what about these jackets then?

This is what Lanius says about it themselves:

"At LANIUS, polyester is selected very carefully and is only recycled. During the recycling process, any polyester residue from yarn and fabric production is collected, broken down into a high-quality raw material, and used for new yarn. The use of recycled fibers protects the limited resource of oil and our environment. This item is certified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), the world's leading standard for textiles made from recycled materials. It guarantees at least 50% recycled materials, high environmental standards throughout the entire textile supply chain, and extensive social criteria."

Nice story, and short too....

Now I hear you thinking: nice story, but it’s 50% recycled. And yes, I completely agree with you there. There is still a lot to be gained, and they aren’t at 100% yet. For me, what’s also important in this story is that it is produced under the right, fair conditions and that it is CO2 neutral. So: is this a completely perfect story? No, it isn't, but it is 100% better than the seemingly sustainable nonsense story that most brands try to make us believe. And, these jackets fit wonderfully (and that’s coming from a natural-materials-addict); I’ve tested it thoroughly myself.

Now you know the story, why and how these jackets ended up in our shop, and you can make your own well-informed choice based on that. (I’d go for this long one if I were you ;-)

How do you feel about recycled polyester?

let us know in the comments

Love,

Your favorite shopkeeper