Everlane removes and repurposes plastic in new environmental initiative

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Oct 22, 2018

American apparel brand Everlane has announced it will completely eliminate new, "virgin" plastic from its supply chain by 2021. The label also announced the launch of ReNew, a line of outerwear made from discarded plastic bottles.

The brand said the ReNew collection has repurposed up to three million plastic bottles, and is set to debut on October 24. The initial launch will include a variety of puffer coats, sweaters and parkas. 

"We are already actively replacing synthetic fabrics with renewed alternatives," Everlane said in a release. "The next step: partnering with vendors to develop new trims and components that are entirely free of virgin plastic."

In addition, the brand also plans to end use of new plastic in its warehouses, offices and stores.

"Most products are required to ship from factories in plastic poly bags," the brand said. "As part of ReNew, we’ve developed a recycled version that will be used across all of our products by next year... With an internal education program already underway, we’re working towards eliminating all single-use plastic – like food packaging – from our stores and offices."

The label's new initiative comes shortly after environmental experts warned that the global community has just over a decade to prevent global warming disaster at the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

"Plastic is poisoning our oceans, clogging landfills, and destroying the environment," the brand said in a written statement released on Twitter. "There's only one solution: eliminate virgin plastic – and instead, renew what's already here. We believe businesses have to lead the way, so we're starting today."

Everlane claims that 100 million plastic bottles will be recycled through the company's Renew program within the next five years.