The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world producing, and failing to use, over four billion kilograms of usable cotton as a by-product every year. Pure Waste use this wasteful by-product to make their clothing range.

The Finnish company Pure Waste have been working with responsible fashion for more than a decade, breaking new ground in recycled textiles. Through their clothing range they are helping to increase awareness to promote an ecological and sustainable lifestyle.

It all starts off with cotton waste which is sorted by colour and then blended with recycled PET polyester and spun into new yarn.

The finished fabrics are produced without the use of environmentally harmful dyes, instead using the original colour of the recycled fibres to define the colour of the fabric. The outcome is sustainable and durable garments that use 99% less water and generate 50% fewer Co2 emissions than similar products made of virgin materials.

Sustainable and responsible standards are core values in Pure Waste operations who hold certification to Global Recycling Standard (GRS) Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA).

For Pure Waste, decent work and economic growth means running their business in a responsible, fair and sustainable manner. They aim to create an attractive workplace for everyone working with them paying special attention to pay equity, safe working conditions and equality.

Pure Waste have committed to take back all the used products that have reached the end of their lifecycle. In 2020, they collected all of the clothes recycled or returned by customers and recycled them into new fabric. This operating model will be deployed in the future.