Ocean plastics a ‘stepping stone’ for Parley
Environmental organisation Parley for the Oceans is expanding its partnerships to supporting ‘next gen’ materials and helping companies transition from virgin plastics as part of its AIR – avoid, intercept and redesign – strategy.
From its launch in 2008, it focused on seminars, moving into facilitating the collection of ocean-bound plastics, then working with textiles makers such as FENC in Taiwan to provide recycled polyester to brands. One of the most well-known of these collaborations is the Adidas Parley knitted shoe ranges.
Federico Tarditi, head of global partnerships at Parley, told sportstextiles: ”For the 'avoid' part of the strategy, we look at a company’s whole operations, from products, to events, to their office, to help them to avoid virgin plastic.
“The second part is we intercept plastic from the water and upcycle the product. We offer that traceability and collaborate on clothing, footwear and sunglasses.”
An example of ‘redesign’ was presented at Future Fabrics Expo in London – a collaboration with Sky High Farm Universe resulting in a jacket made with a mushroom chitosan from Tomtex and an insulation material made with seeds from the wetlands by Ponda Biobuff. “That’s what we’re looking at more now, we’re looking to implement these next-gen materials into the supply chains of our partners," said Mr Tarditi. "The plastic is a stepping stone into these new materials , but the development and implementation of these new materials could take five to 10 years.”
At Future Fabrics, Parley also showed a beachwear capsule with Dior, as well as examples of partnerships with Bananatex and Nature Coatings.
Mr Tarditi added: “Designers are asked to change but if they don’t have access to the materials it is very difficult. This show is a great showcase of what’s tangible and what’s available now and in the future. It's great for the industry to see these things are possible, they’re available and they’re real. It’s good for people to reimagine a better future. Our approach is about making it desirable to make these changes.”
