For such a small country, Philippine’s contribution to plastic pollution is so massive. The country’s plastic sachet mentality made it as the leading plastic polluter of the world. Every day, we are able to dispose 163 million sachets and 48 million plastic bags – that is 60 billion sachets and 17.5 billion plastic bags a year!

10 Brands that use Recycled Plastic

Though plastic sachets are deemed as cost effective and convenient, we can’t deny the fact that our ‘throw away culture’ and poor waste management programs have caused the deaths and alteration of our ecosystem. And while more and more large multinational manufacturing companies are taking advantage of producing these single use plastics, here are 10 brands that are revolutionizing their products in order to upcycle these plastic trash. 

  1. Adidas
Photo from adidas-group.com
Photo from Adidas

Adidas is turning plastic ocean waste into sneakers and sportswear

Narrator: Adidas makes over 400 million pairs of shoes every year. Manufacturing that many shoes requires a lot of resources. But constantly creating new materials isn’t great for the environment. So Adidas is turning to a different source. Experts predict that in 30 years, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish.

Video from Business Insider

Manufacturing your beloved shoes every year requires a great amount of resources. For this reason, in 2015, Adidas partnered with environmental organization, Parley for the Oceans in making 11 million pair of shoes made from recycled ocean plastic. Instead of using virgin polyester, Adidas make use of Parley’s collected trash by processing plastic bottles and forming them into the upper part of the shoes and clothing like jerseys. By using recycled polyester, the company is able to use less water and fewer chemicals; hence, helping in the prevention of plastic pollution.

  • Nike
Olympic Kits from recycled bottles. Image from Nike
Image from Nike
Image from Nike

Did you know that 75% of Nike shoes and apparel contain recycled materials? Yes, in fact, Nike has been long transforming plastic bottles into yarns, soles, and products like Nike Grind and Air. All soles of Nike Air designed since 2008 were at least 50% made from recycled waste while the new Nike Air Max270 known for its cushioning system contains 70% recycled manufacturing waste.

  • Body Party

Another one of my designs with #SolennArt for the benefit of our oceans. Bathing suit made out of 100% recycled fishnets and plastic bottles. #solennartxbodyparty Photo: @tarishzamora Wall art: solennart too haha #CntTwerkInThis

242.3k Likes, 1,293 Comments – Solenn Heussaff (@solenn) on Instagram: “Another one of my designs with #SolennArt for the benefit of our oceans. Bathing suit made out of…”

Just last year, celebrity and visual artist, Solenn Heussaff posted on her Instagram account about her collaboration with Body Party swimwear line for their bathing suits that are made from 100% recycled fishnets and plastic bottles. What’s more interesting about this project is that 20% of the proceeds will go to the Save Palawan Seas Foundation.

  • Parkland

Established in Canada in 2015, Parkland has introduced their 2018 spring collection of bags that are made from polyester and 100% recycled plastic bottles. To make these trendy bags, plastic bottles are shredded into tiny pieces, melted, and made into threads which are then assembled to become the fabric of the bag. Parkland bags are sold in 12 countries around the world, including the Philippines.

Photo from Parkland

Parkland turns plastic bottles into backpacks

From trash to stylish backpacks, Parkland turns plastic bottles into backpacks that are not only efficient but fashionable, too! Show to the world that…

  • Uniqlo
Image from Uniqlo

Last September, Uniqlo held its annual LifeWear exhibition in Somerset House and unveiled its latest technology that would convert PET bottles into clothes. The fiber and textile company, Toray, was able to develop a technology that would turn seawater into fresh water and recycle plastic bottles into polyester fibers – which in turn are made into Uniqlo’s Dry-Ex shirt (known to be moisture wicking, odor controlling, breathable activewear.

  • Ralph Lauren
Image from Ralph Lauren

Another major fashion brand that’s joining the eco-revolution is Ralph Lauren. Committed in recycling 170 million bottles from landfills and oceans, the latest renowned signature polos of Ralph Lauren “Earth Polo” are now crafted from thread made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Each polo is made from 12 bottles in collaboration with First Mile – an organization focused on sustainability and positive social impact around the world.

  • Sora
Image from Sora
Screenshot from Sora

Fond of beaching or practicing yoga? Why not support a brand that creates towels from plastic bottles?! These multi-purpose towels of Sora are not recycled but also compact, lightweight, quick to dry, absorbent, sand repellent, and moisture activated! This is the brand’s way of minimizing their carbon footprint and helping the world with its massive plastic problem.

  • Bag-O
Image from Bag-o Facebook
Image from Bag-o Facebook

Who says saving the environment would cost a lot? These bags from Bag-o in Bago City, Negros Occidental are made from crocheted old plastic bags and are sold for as low as P30! Bag-o is a livelihood project for women who are determined to provide financial support for their families. 

  • Winder
Image from Winder Recycling Company Facebook
Image from Winder Recycling Company Facebook

Instead of ending up in the oceans, you candy wrappers, sando bags, and plastic bottles can now be transformed into armchairs! The Davao-based company, Winder, has been making these chairs that are now used in public schools all around the country.

  • Timberland
Image from Timberland

Last 2018, Timberland launched three new Timberland X Thread men’s footwear styles made from recycled Ground to Good fabric. This collaboration with Thread allowed the company to create the most responsible fabrics – made from the plastic bottles found on the streets and canals of Haiti and Honduras.

Do you know any other brands that make use of plastic for their products? Share them with us! Let’s support this movement of keeping our world more sustainable and plastic-free!

REFERENCES:

Philippine Marine Debris

The low cost and convenience of plastic sachets, as well as inefficient waste disposal, has made the Philippines one of the world’s leading plastic polluters, with tremendous negative impacts on the environment. WWF-Philippines is using hands-on involvement in coastal clean-ups, as well as social

60 billion sachets and 17.5 billion plastic bags are thrown each year in the Philippines

According to a study conducted by the environmental group Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), each Filipino uses 591 pieces of sachets and 337 plastic bags each year. That comes up to a total of 163 million sachets and 48 million plastic…

Solenn Heussaff designs shirts made of plastic bottles

MANILA – When fashion meets passion, there are no limits to one’s creativity to come up with a thoughtful product that sartorial game-changers will truly love. The biggest question is, how did renowned NGO Hope, creator of the well-loved Hope in a Bottle, dive into the world of retail for clothes with their latest project, Hope in a Shirt?

Solenn Heussaff designs swimwear made of recycled plastic to benefit Palawan

Popular celebrity and visual artist Solenn Heussaff has collaborated with Body Party to release swimwear using her art and recycled plastics. Body Party’s initial release in October of the Solenn Art and Body Party swimwear line has resulted in more orders for the one piece and two-piece bathing suits whose proceeds will go to the Save Palawan Seas Foundation.

LOOK: These Bags are Made Out of Plastic Bottles

We are always finding ways to help Mother Earth. Aside from trying to refrain from using single-use plastic, though, there are also sustainable and eco-friendly consumer products that we can buy. After metal straws and reusable cups, we have now…

7 Products that are Made Out of Recycled Plastic

The Philippines generates 2.7 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, making it the 3rd leading country that contributes to ocean plastic. Though there are many efforts from individuals, groups, and companies to lessen plastic waste; there is still a lot…

Blastik: Battling plastic for cleaner, healthier Philippines

WITH hopes to teach public and private sector groups on how to lessen the plastic footprint among communities, a small farming community in a southern Negros Occidental locality is taking a bold step poised to empower Negrenses and Filipinos in combatting pollution for a cleaner and healthier Philippines.

https://www.timberland.com/newsroom/press-releases/timberland-unveils-new-spring-18-footwear-collection-made-with-recycled-fabric.html

10 Clothing Companies using Recycled Plastic – Simply Quinoa

Clothing companies using recycled plastic in their products. Includes shoes, boots, bags, jackets and even tee shirts. An easy way to reduce your impact now! I’m so excited to introduce you to 10 clothing companies that are using recycled plastic in their products.