The North Face (TM) is Using Recycled Plastic Bottles to Make Clothing!

Tee Shirts Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles

From a North Face press release: The North Face has unveiled its new limited-edition Recover Tee, showcasing the label’s sustainability commitment by recycling plastic bottles. The North Face has collected almost 40,000 pounds of plastic bottles from waste streams in the Alps.  The tees come in long sleeve or short sleeve and sport a new North Face log.  They are selling so fast that most types are already sold out--which shows a need for this kind of pollution control and a public that is willing to support it.  (I am waiting for my tee, which is on its way.)

In other attempts to reduce plastic waste, Johnny Walker will be selling their Scotch whisky in a planet friendly, paper-based spirits bottle made from sustainably sources wood.  A Johnny Walker spokesman was quoted as saying "The technology will allow brands to rethink their packaging designs, or move existing designs into paper, whilst not compromising on the existing quality of the product." 

And finally, the German company, Sandhelden, is using specialized 3D printing technology to transform plastic waste into interior products like vases, sinks and even bathtubs. According to the company, "the process starts with collecting plastic waste the team separates it into categories like color and thickness. The waste is then shredded and frozen so it can be crushed into a powder that is sifted into a uniform grain size for 3D printing. Sandhelden then integrates the powder into their 3D printing process to recycle it into household objects."

Don't forget to recycle your plastics--you may be wearing them or sitting on them!