Epoch Biodesign’s Post

The circularity platform Recomme.co has joined forces with ACS (Advanced Clothing Solutions) to launch REPURPOSE, a platform, processor and innovation hub.   REPURPOSE will focus on clothing and footwear recovery, recycling, refurbishment and reuse, with support from UKFT.   Andrew Rough, CEO of ACS Clothing, said: “Through REPURPOSE, we aim to establish a seamless ecosystem where brands, retailers, and innovators come together to accelerate to a truly circular economy.” REPURPOSE aims to establish itself as the go-to solution for the UK clothing and footwear industry, offering efficient and effective connections with leading repurposing providers. It also will serve as a hub for innovation, ensuring access to the latest technologies and processors. “Our goal is to leverage our technology and embrace innovation to accelerate and scale the UK’s transition towards a more circular future,” said Thomas Grafton, Co-Founder at Recomme.co Read more at: https://lnkd.in/e2rHD63R #fashion #textiles #manufacturing #footwear #clothing #recycling #reuse

23.9 billion pairs That's the number of footwear produced around the world in 2022 alone. How many pairs of shoes does one person need? On average, each American owns 12 pairs of shoes. And they buy 4 pairs of shoes annually. And how many got thrown away in the landfill? 22 billion pairs, every single year. (according to Vivobarefoot). This week is Paris Fashion Week - what an occasion to talk about shoe design, the industry, and most of all: the innovators who are working hard to make lower-impact shoes. We're talking about: - AMPHICO 🇬🇧 - material made from recycled and plant-based feedstock, world's first carbon-negative performance textile - Bananatex® 🇨🇭- technical fabric made purely from the naturally grown Abacá banana plants - DESSERTO and Desserto® 🇲🇽 - organic material made from the Nopal cactus - Balena 🇮🇱 - compostable and biodegradable thermoplastic materials - Modern Synthesis 🇬🇧 - microbial materials to mimic a wide range of natural materials And many more... 📌 Questions for you, our dear readers: #1: Which suppliers/innovators/manufacturers are we missing from the map? We need every single one of them. Let us know their names in the comments. #2: We also look for experts in waste-based materials for our upcoming events. If you know one single expert we should definitely be in touch, tag them in the comment. A cleaner future is just around the corner. Let’s do this?

According to earth.org, the average item of clothing is only worn 7-10 times before being discarded. Add in the fact that less than 1% of used clothing is recycled into new garments, according to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, and the story becomes more shocking. If the apparel industry continues business as usual without taking any action, the industry’s global emissions will Increase by 50% by 2030. In this exclusive webinar hosted by the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) , Mike Colarossi discusses how upcoming EU digital product passport legislation is putting digital ID technology in the spotlight and why it’s important that we properly invest in global recycling facilities so fashion can become truly circular. Listen here! https://lnkd.in/du3g5xnS #CircularFashion #AveryDennison #AAFA

Walk in the direction of sustainable footwear, where style meets responsibility. The footwear industry is taking impressive strides, embracing eco-friendly materials, responsible production methods, and circular design principles to create a greener future for fashion. 👟Footwear has always been an essential part of our lives, and now it's becoming a cornerstone of sustainable fashion. Brands are investing in sustainable practices that align with environmental and social values. 💚Eco-friendly materials are leading the way in this transformation. From plant-based alternatives like pineapple leather and mushroom leather to recycled ocean plastics, these materials reduce the reliance on resource-intensive materials and minimize the carbon footprint. 🤝But it doesn't stop there. Responsible production practices are essential components of sustainable footwear. Brands are adopting ethical labor practices, ensuring safe working conditions, and prioritizing the well-being of their employees throughout the supply chain. ♻️Circular design principles are also playing a significant role. Brands are reimagining footwear with a circular mindset, designing products that are repairable, upcyclable, and built to last. This shift is reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of footwear. 👣Innovations are thriving in sustainable footwear, from biodegradable soles to 3D-printed shoes that minimize material waste. Brands are setting new standards, showing that style and sustainability can go hand in hand. 💪We have the power to support this transformation. By choosing sustainable footwear, we send a powerful message that ethical and eco-friendly choices matter. Let's step into a future where our shoes not only carry us forward but also leave a smaller environmental footprint. Share your thoughts on sustainable footwear in the comments below, and let's stride towards a greener fashion industry together. "Think Circular." team is working that fashion industry will be more sustainable everyday. We acknowledge the problems, take up the responsibility to solve them, and we realise that the change starts from within - it starts with us. 🍃 If you are interested in what we do, you can always visit our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/eJcGZ7ww. #CircularFashion #SustainabilityMatters #thinkcirculareu #recycling #ecofashion #zerowaste #recycledfashion #FutureForward #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy #GreenFashion #EnvironmentalResponsibility #SustainableFootwear #EcoFriendlyFashion #CircularDesign #EthicalProduction #GreenFashion #Sustainability #ResponsibleChoices

A staggering 92 million tons of textile waste is produced globally each year, including clothing, footwear, and other textile products. This number continues to rise, but one company is tackling the issue by transforming waste material from shoe mills into 100% recycled polyester yarn. Through a meticulous separation process, only the polyester content is selected, eliminating the need for extensive dyeing processes and reducing carbon emissions and energy use. The resulting yarn and textiles have a unique and heathered appearance, thanks to the diverse range of shoe colors. Discover more sustainable material innovations added this month to our database in our November Material Report: https://lnkd.in/gkEh32iJ . . . . #Sustainability #RecycledMaterials #TextileWaste #FootwearIndustry #MaterialConneXion #MaterialInnovation #RecycledTextiles #SustainableFashion #CircularEconomy

The footwear industry is making significant strides towards a greener, more responsible future, and at Think Circular. we're proud to be part of this transformative journey. Footwear isn't just about style anymore; it's a symbol of our commitment to the planet. Brands are embracing eco-friendly materials, responsible production methods, and circular design principles to redefine the way we think about fashion. 💚 From innovative materials like pineapple leather and mushroom leather to recycled ocean plastics, eco-friendly alternatives are leading the way, reducing our reliance on resource-intensive materials and minimizing our carbon footprint. 🤝 But sustainability goes beyond materials; it's about how those materials are sourced and crafted. We advocate for responsible production practices, ensuring ethical labor standards and safe working conditions throughout the supply chain. ♻️ Circular design principles are at the heart of our mission. We believe in products that are not only stylish but also repairable, upcyclable, and built to last. By extending the lifecycle of footwear, we're reducing waste and making a positive impact on the environment. 👣 Innovation is key in driving sustainable change. From biodegradable soles to 3D-printed shoes that minimize material waste, brands are pushing boundaries and setting new standards for style and sustainability. 💪 Every choice we make matters. By choosing sustainable footwear, we're not only making a statement about our values but also contributing to a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come. Let's step into a future where fashion is not just beautiful but also sustainable. Share your thoughts on sustainable footwear below, and let's walk together towards a greener fashion industry! Curious about our work? 📌 Explore our website for more details: https://lnkd.in/eJcGZ7ww. 💡 Follow Think Circular. on LinkedIn for weekly updates. Stay informed about the latest trends in the circular fashion economy: https://lnkd.in/evYf6yjr. ♻️ #thinkcirculareu #thinkcircular #CircularFashion #SustainabilityMatters #recycling #upcycling #ecofashion #ecofriendly #zerowaste #recycledfashion #FutureForward #CircularEconomy #GreenFashion #Sustainability #SustainableStyle #GlobalImpact #FashionForChange #CircularDesign #Innovation #LinkedIn #SustainableFuture #SustainableFootwear #ResponsibleChoices

“Banning the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear will contribute to a shift in the way fast fashion manufacturers produce their goods." This is a quote by Alessandra Moretti, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) as the EU has moved to impose a ban on the destruction of unsold textiles and footwear. This is part of a wider push to tighten the legislation around sustainable fashion. Now while clarifications are being sought by industry bodies and fashion industry experts, regarding the exact definition of ‘unsold goods’ and ‘destruction’, the question to ask is if a move like this can shift supply chains. As consultant Dio Kurazawa notes in this Vogue Business article, “It’s a chance for brands to play with AI to understand the future of forecasting. Technology can help brands be more intentional with what they make, so they have less unsold goods in the first place.” Read the piece here.  https://lnkd.in/gKQMxD57

Here’s something so crazy that it might just make sense… Have you ever considered investing in a pair of 3D-printed shoes for $250+? One eco-conscious shoemaker is doing just that. Vivobarefoot’s game-changing product is made with 51% biological material, and it’s setting the stage for a sustainable fashion revolution. 💪👞 What’s your opinion? Does a high upfront cost outweigh the long-term sustainable benefits for our planet? https://lnkd.in/ecdfh3mJ #ConsciousConsumer #SustainableFashion #EcoAwareness

5 questions for Eva Bergmann from Step Zero AG, cooperative member of Circular Clothing: What is your biggest eco-fashion sin? Outfittery, once 🙈 What does the Step Zero label stand for? Step Zero stands for circularity in the footwear components and insole business. We develop bio-degradable outsoles to avoid microplastics through abrasion 👟 and offer sustainable insoles for retailers. What do you do every day? Smile, learn & strive Why are you a Circular Clothing cooperative member? Because revolutionizing an entire industry towards 100% responsibility & circularity is just easier within a team 💪 👐 🙂 If you had three wishes, what would they be? That our bio-degradable materials are replacing plastic components in footwear already from this year onwards. That Circular Clothing becomes a global movement with great impact on politics, businesses, and education. That sustainable footwear and fashion becomes the new normal for the mass market, so that it is not only a luxury for the privileged anymore. What else is close to your heart? Diversity, inclusion, the mountains 🏔 ⛰ Become circular! Become a member! #CircularFashion #Footwear #Microplastic #PlasticFree #diversity