Today, the fashion industry relies heavily on ever more resources such as virgin fibers, water, soil and energy. This not only fuels climate change and the loss of biodiversity, but also increases waste production due to the shortened useful life of products. To date, only 1% of all clothing is recycled, which makes a rethink in the industry increasingly urgent.
USE, REUSE, REPAIR, RECYCLE
In order to decouple the manufacture of products from the need for new resources, the EU is promoting a circular economy in its transformation strategy for textiles, which is based on the principle of "use, reuse, repair, recycle" and involves all stakeholders along the life cycle of a product, such as manufacturers, brands, customers and recyclers. However, not every item of clothing is suitable for a circular system. We see the responsibility for value-preserving design as our responsibility as a brand. After all, the design of a garment forms the basis and starting point for a resource-efficient product that is as durable and recyclable as possible.
To meet the complex design requirements of the circular economy and keep an eye on the constant evolution of research, development and industry, we rely on our partnership with circular.fashion, a transformation agency that drives the vision of circular textiles. Compliance with the specified Circular Design Criteria, a comprehensive catalog of criteria based on four pillars, helps us to make a certain and constantly growing part of our collection recyclable and to identify it as "Designed for Circularity".
1. RAW MATERIALS & PROCESSES
Not all dyeing or printing processes are recyclable. For our "Designed for Circularity" products, we only use processes that are suitable for this. In screen printing, for example, fibers can be glued together that would contaminate the feedstock during recycling.
2. MATERIALS & TRIMMING
Some materials and material blends cannot yet be technically recycled. In "Designed for Circularity" products, we only use materials that can be recycled from fiber to fiber so that a new garment can be made from them. We also limit the use of elastane and, where possible, do not use it at all. Edgings and trimmings must be easily removable in standard processes.
3. DURABLE DESIGN
To save natural resources, materials should remain in use for as long as possible. All "Designed for Circularity" products from Marc O'Polo not only meet high quality criteria in terms of material durability, colors and construction, but also consider appearance and timelessness so that they can be worn often and on many occasions and give pleasure for a long time.
4. SERVICES FOR CIRCULARITY
Even after the product has been designed, there are important measures that contribute to closing the loop. One of these is the correct care and, if necessary, repair of an item of clothing to further extend its life cycle. A few simple tips and tricks can go a long way. Discover our Care & Repair Guide.
Our sustainability strategy IT'S ON US - 2030+ aims to make 50% of our products recyclable by 2030. As compliance with the Circular Design Criteria is checked by circular.fashion for every "Designed for Circularity" product, the traceability and verifiability of materials and processes is of great importance.
Even though we are aware that value-preserving design is only a first step towards the circular economy and that many more measures are necessary to fulfill our responsibility, we are convinced of the key function of collection development and product design and want to further expand "Designed for Circularity".