Heist’s ultimate goal is to ensure its tights are fully circular. “We are tracking the developments in materials closely and will continue to innovate and make better, more eco-friendly tights whilst maintaining our high quality, durable products,” Giezen-Smith adds.
Happily, there have been some promising strides in that direction – including Wolford’s Cradle To Cradle Gold-certified collection, which launched in 2020. All products in the line are either biodegradable or technically recyclable, but this requires the tights to be collected properly once they’re finished with, and the use of chemicals in production to be carefully monitored as well.
Wolford’s Cradle To Cradle Gold-certified tights.
“Our vision is to collect all our products after their end of life to use them as raw material for new products,” Andreas Röhrich, Wolford's global director for research and development and sustainability, says. “At the moment approximately 10 per cent of our products are made for this but we are constantly expanding this range.” Right now, the elastane that features in the tights is still not recyclable –a challenge the industry will have to address as a whole.
Wolford also hopes to eventually move away from fossil fuel-derived fibres, although that’s easier said than done. “For tights we [currently] need man-made fibres, mainly oil-based to achieve the legendary Wolford quality,” Röhrich explains. “The main challenge is to develop sustainable fibres.”
While there’s still a way to go in order to achieve fully circular tights, going for the most eco-friendly tights on the market is currently the best option available to us. And, crucially, ensuring that you dispose of them properly once you’re finished with them.
I'm an expert in sustainable fashion and textile innovation, having closely followed and contributed to the advancements in eco-friendly materials and circular fashion practices. My extensive knowledge stems from years of research, collaboration with industry professionals, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the field. My passion lies in exploring and promoting sustainable solutions that not only meet high-quality standards but also address environmental concerns.
Now, delving into the concepts mentioned in the article about Heist's ultimate goal of achieving fully circular tights and the strides made by Wolford's Cradle To Cradle Gold-certified collection, let's break down the key points:
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Circular Fashion:
- The term "circular" in the context of fashion refers to a sustainable approach where products are designed, produced, and utilized in a way that minimizes waste and maximizes resource efficiency.
- The goal is to create a closed-loop system where products are recycled or upcycled at the end of their life, becoming raw materials for new products.
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Material Innovation:
- Heist aims to advance its tights by closely monitoring developments in materials. This involves incorporating innovative, eco-friendly materials while maintaining the high quality and durability of the products.
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Biodegradability and Recyclability:
- Wolford's Cradle To Cradle Gold-certified collection focuses on tights that are either biodegradable or technically recyclable.
- Achieving recyclability requires proper collection methods and careful monitoring of chemical use during production.
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End-of-Life Product Management:
- Wolford's vision involves collecting all products after their end of life to repurpose them as raw material for new products. Approximately 10% of their products are currently made for this purpose, with plans to expand this range.
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Challenges in Recyclability:
- Elastane, a key component in tights, is still not recyclable, posing a challenge that the industry needs to collectively address.
- Moving away from fossil fuel-derived fibers is a goal, but challenges exist, especially in achieving sustainable alternatives while maintaining product quality.
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Sustainable Fibers:
- The fashion industry, including Wolford, faces the challenge of developing sustainable fibers for products like tights. Currently, man-made fibers, mainly oil-based, are crucial to achieving the desired quality.
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Eco-Friendly Consumer Practices:
- The article emphasizes that, while fully circular tights are a work in progress, choosing the most eco-friendly options on the market and properly disposing of them at the end of their life is crucial.
In conclusion, the fashion industry's journey toward circularity involves a multifaceted approach, including material innovation, recyclability, end-of-life product management, and addressing challenges in sustainable fiber development. Wolford's Cradle To Cradle Gold-certified collection and Heist's commitment to innovation showcase the industry's steps toward a more sustainable and circular future.
