Q&A
Kingly’s Eco Upcycled Sports Socks
Creative reuse in 2020 Q
AUpcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming waste materials or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for increased environmental value. Increasingly, manufacturers, consumers and governments are upcycling to keep old products out of landfills by transforming them into something new. It is different to recycling. Recycling involves the collection of textile waste which is then introduced into a new manufacturing process whereby water and chemicals are required to create new garments
First of all, can you explain what ‘upcycling’ is, and what makes this process different to recycling?
With upcycling, textile wastage is collected and then separated by colour. It is then transformed into textile apparel without the need of water or chemicals.
AThe environmental benefits of upcycling are mammoth, aside from minimising the volume of discarded materials and waste being sent to landfill each year, it also reduces the
Q | 46 | July 2020
What makes upcycling so eco-friendly?
need for production using new or raw materials which means a reduction in air pollution, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and often a conservation of global resources.
Did you know that it takes approximately 2,700 litres of water to produce the cotton needed to make a single T shirt? This is an alarming figure. Our planet is running dangerously low on natural resources so it’s a huge help on the environment when people use old items to create new items. Upcycling does not just apply to the textile market, its applicable to all industries. Take for example the aircraft business. There’s lots of stuff being upcycled. Mostly airplane parts that are turned into furniture. But what about an old interior of an airplane, are there possibilities for upcycling too? There have been several upcycle initiatives from airlines, with carriers such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (uniforms), Finnair (seat covers, seat belts, curtains), Delta Air Lines (seat covers), Air France (life jackets) and Southwest Airlines giving discarded airline interior materials a second life as stylish bags. There is a clear picture here. If all sectors just think of implementing
Upcycling. What is it? P&P editor Melanie Attlesey posed this very question to Rob Armour, sales manager at Kingly, to find out more about the process and the resulting socks.
One of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines' upcycled products
upcycling into their business the benefits would be monumental! This is fully in line with the corporate social responsibility policy that Kingly has pursued for years.
AFor our range of bespoke knitted socks. Currently 35% of all our socks use upcycled cotton yarn. Year to year the percentage is higher and by 2024 we aim for 70%.
Q
How do you use upcycling in your own business?
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
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