Taking a look at companies who are putting their green foot forward this Earth Day 2020!

Written By: Ben Leschins

This Earth Day, we are all doing the best to protect each other by staying indoors during quarantine. Ironically, while stuck inside, many are noticing that the outside world is miraculously recovering from the severe damage that human manufacturing has inflicted on Mother Nature. Pollution is down, which means air and water quality are rising, and many have observed a remarkable resurgence of wildlife in their areas. So now is a great time to reflect upon what we can do as consumers to support companies that are doing their part to help protect the planet rather than harm it. 

It seems that nowadays, specifically mainstream clothing companies are looking to cut corners to save themselves money whenever they can when it comes to their manufacturing. Unfortunately, that means compromising quality, and negatively impacting the environment. Could there be a way to break this perilous chain?

Fortunately, there are a number of companies who put environmental responsibility at the forefront of their mission without compromising the quality of their products. One exciting and innovative eco-friendly manufacturing method companies are using to do this is using recycled materials. Also known as upcycling, a company sources their textiles from a landfill and reconstructs them in a way that is of higher craftsmanship and value than by manufacturing with new materials.

It is estimated that a single garment factory can create up to 60,000 pounds of textile waste which normally goes to landfills. Managing waste at landfills unfortunately is not an easy process, according to the National Waste & Recycling Association. It is compacted and sealed in an underground, oxygen-free environment, which creates methane gas as a byproduct. Methane gas is dangerous when created in this type of environment because it is highly flammable. Not helping the cause, methane gas is a well-known greenhouse gas that contributes to a significant percentage of global warming.

Thus, it is extremely important to try and reduce textile waste as much as possible – and recycling old used fabrics and items (like plastic bottles) into new, high quality products is the perfect way to breathe new life into the clothing industry, and our planet.

Here are 5 companies that are making a big splash in the upcycling industry and helping to preserve planet Earth:

1. Looptworks 

Based in Portland, Oregon, Looptworks seeks to make high quality fashion accessories like bags, wallets and throw pillows all while using 100% upcycled materials, conserving water, reducing carbon emissions and diverting waste from the landfill.

Looptworks’s supply source comes from partnerships with companies who donate old merchandise to be upcycled into new products.

 Some of the companies that Looptworks has partnered with include the NBA, Delta, Alaska, Southwest Airlines and Patagonia. Their most popular designs come from the NBA partnerships and include unsold jerseys. The intrigue will only continue once products that aren’t sold become old designs, a highly popular fashion statement in streetwear and sports.

While fashion accessories are the bread and butter for Looptworks, they have recently introduced the manufacturing of old laptop sleeves made from neoprene that came from factory scraps that were intended to make wetsuits. This shows that they are completely dedicated to making new products and doing whatever it takes to divert landfill waste.

Because the supply is dependent on whatever is donated to Looptworks, designs can change frequently and effectively makes everything a limited edition. They hope the designs will catch on with consumers and that the limited availability of products will increase their attractiveness (more on that later).

2. Mariclaro

While manufacturing with recycled waste effectively makes merchandise limited editions, Mariclaro’s source of materials takes this one step further.

 Like Looptworks, Mariclaro has also partnered with an airline, Air Canada, to reuse the interior of their retired fleet to make various pieces of luggage and accessories including briefcases, computer and weekend bags.

 Where Mariclaro really makes their money, however, is by taking the interiors out of junked cars and turning them into the same products. What makes these specific products unique is that the supply is significantly less than that of a commercial airliner with a large fleet of aircraft.

 On each piece, Mariclaro specifies which vehicle the product uses its materials from. Bags even list the VIN (vehicle identification) number, which can be incredibly fun to look up. Consequently, pieces from older or more desirable cars can command a higher premium because typically the level of craftsmanship from the manufacturer was higher.

As a car aficionado, I truly love this project because cars bring sentimental value to those who have one. Like a pair of solid boots, a car is a living scrapbook, preserving life’s memories, good and bad, as they occur. Even if it’s not something that’s so important to you, at the very least it makes for a great conversation starter!

3. Elvis & Kresse

 The founders of Elvis & Kresse were alarmed to learn that 100 million tons of waste went into the landfills of the United Kingdom each year. While looking for materials to recycle, they had a chance meeting with UK fire service members who were discarding some of the 10 tons of fire hoses they decommission each year.

Because they serve such an important purpose, their useful life is relatively short since all firefighting equipment must maintain a high level of performance. Fire hoses are a durable and robust material, but if you get an irreparable tear somewhere in the hose, it goes to a landfill.

Elvis & Kresse makes everything from bags and wallets to toiletry bags and belts. My personal favorite from the collection is the dopp kit. The waterproof nature of the hose gives me peace of mind when having to worry about product explosion. The bags are incredibly easy to clean.

 If you are interested in purchasing something for yourself, Elvis & Kresse offers international shipping and 50% of profits are donated to charities related to rescued materials. Talk about being good for the planet and society!

4.Nothing New

While landfill waste is one of the bigger threats to global warming, Nothing New sets to combat an even larger obstacle: plastic. By 2050, the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish. There are currently over 170 million tons of plastic in oceans, yet only 9% of plastic is currently being recycled across the globe.

Metal water bottles have been a thing for a while now helping prevent further waste, but only a few companies have actually gone ahead and done something about removing plastic from the ocean, let alone on a large scale; enter Nothing New.

Owned by Thursday Boot Company, Nothing New takes the knowledge they’ve gained from making affordable high quality boots and applies it to sneakers. Each pair of Nothing New sneakers contains 5.6 repurposed plastic bottles.

For those who don’t like to loudly preach that they care for the environment, Nothing New is the perfect essential minimalist sneaker to add to your wardrobe. The plastic bottles used in the sneakers are made to feel like a high quality canvas so there is no sacrifice choosing these over a different pair. Approximately 160 gallons of water is saved per pair compared to normal cotton canvas.

The minimalist design also blends into any outfit so you will look sharp and get a ton of use out of them. My personal pick would be the white low tops, the ultimate warm weather wardrobe essential!

Another reason to pick these sneakers? They’re affordable! At right under $100, they have the build quality of something much more expensive yet without the markup of a regular supply chain.

Due to the superior quality of the shoe, they should last a lot longer than the Chuck Taylors’ they are inspired by. But like all shoes, they will reach the end of their life at some point. But Nothing New has turned that into a positive, creating the Virtuous Circle program which allows you to ship your old shoes back to them in exchange for $20 credit towards a new pair! This not only helps your wallet when you need another pair, but completely eliminates waste that comes from throwing sneakers in the trash!

5. Ministry of Supply

One of the biggest innovations this past decade in menswear has been the use of performance fabrics in office attire. Ministry of Supply has seemingly been at the head of this trend since the beginning.

 Ministry of Supply’s Aero Zero line builds on the comfort and style of the Aero line. The fabric of the Aero Zero shirt is made of up 100% recycled polyester that incorporates plastic bottles. They also claim that it outperforms its regular Aero shirts in looks, stretch and comfort.

Even though this particular article highlights companies that are manufacturing with recycled materials, Ministry of Supply takes it a step further by making sure that the environment in which their Aero Zero shirts are manufactured is also environmentally friendly. While completely focused on a neutral carbon footprint, the Aero Zero line is milled at a factory powered by solar energy.

Knowing that Ministry of Supply’s Aero line is already super successful, this new environmentally friendly model is going to be a game changer. Sure, the cost may be out of budget for some, but the quality and performance of the shirt is great enough to justify the high price tag.

As a frequent traveler to warm climates with a need to dress up sometimes, I for one have a strong need for breathable performance fabrics that also look great. Plus, not only do they provide breathability in warm climates, but the fabrics are hefty enough to keep you comfortable in cooler temperatures as well. And who doesn’t need some extra stretchy clothes to keep you cool and comfortable at the office?!

While taking care of the environment is very important, so is taking care of people. Along with all the news you’ve been hearing about the coronavirus pandemic, I’m sure you’ve also heard about the lack of availability for PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). As of the writing of this article, Looptworks, Thursday Boot Company and Ministry of Supply have all dedicated their resources to manufacture masks so that everyone can stay safe and protected. It’s incredibly refreshing to see the human side of these companies and their willingness to help out in this strange and unprecedented time.

I am confident that we are in great hands going forward as manufacturers are starting to source more responsibly. If these are the types of amazing products we are going to see, there is sure to be a very bright future ahead. With consumers caring more about how their possessions are made and where they come from, this is likely going to be a trend that will stick around for a while; better for the environment, and better for us.