Alsico

Performance based ecodesign work wear

Why is the product or service circular?

Materials are carefully selecting in the design stage to maximise the length of use phase = the shortest chain in the circular economy. Since these products can be washed industrially, personalised and repaired, the product can effectively retain its highest value in the chain even after 100 washes in many situations. By recycling used clothing, fibres from homogenous waste streams are reused, while recycling fibres into composite and insulation reduces the amount of clothing sent to the incinerator.

Which circular strategies are applied?

• Reduce total amount of materials: By basing the design on the needs of the wearer, we avoid using excessive amounts of materials and components.
• Reduce amount of virgin inputs: All the recycled content in a substance represents a saving in virgin input.
• Extend the useful life: Since these products can be washed industrially, personalised and repaired, the product can effectively retain its highest value in the chain even after 100 washes in many situations.
• Maximise the reusability of a product or component: Thanks to our cooperation with various NGOs, clothing in good condition and which can be stripped of logos can be reused.
• Maximise the reusability or recyclability of materials: Monomer waste streams - containing a single type of material (100% cotton or polyester) - can be processed into new fibres/thread/fabrics. Existing suppliers work with us on this aspect, which also keeps the chain transparent Other fabrics (blends) can be recycled into insulation or composite.

What are the benefits for purchasers?

The performance-based design, long useful life and recycling result in lower costs over the lifecycle, and an effective (measurable) lower impact on people and the environment (fewer CO2 emissions, less water consumption and waste). Moreover, the recycling of textiles and plastic into Wootex composite is an excellent solution for two abundant types of waste.