California-based Next Level Apparel (NLA) is switching all of its polyester blended materials in its product line to recycled polyester. The adjustment took effect on 1st March and will apply to all incoming fabrics, said the Top 40 supplier.
The business claimed that the action is part of its ongoing efforts to lessen its environmental effect.
“Eliminating waste and reducing our impact on the environment is one way we continue to help support and improve the communities where we live and work,” said NLA CEO Randy Hales. “Our transition to recycled polyester marks a big step in our ongoing sustainability efforts – and we’re proud our company ethos is reflected in the products we produce.”
In 2019, NLA unveiled their Sustainable Collection, which included clothing manufactured with 70 per cent recycled material. The supplier claimed that it has recycled more than 5 million plastic water bottles through the use of the items in that collection.
“We recognise the responsibility that we have as a brand to find ways to mitigate our impact on the environment wherever possible,” said Carly Gerstman, director of corporate social responsibility at NLA.
The most recent announcement from NLA is only one of many actions the company has made recently to improve the sustainability of its supply chain. The supplier switched all incoming fabric to 100 per cent cotton farmed in the US earlier this year and started a collaboration with Oritain to provide origin certification for its cotton programme. Also, it collaborated with Grupo M and GK Global to improve accessibility to nearshore production.
