Arc'teryx’s circular design strategy prioritises end-of-life
Canadian outdoor brand Arc'teryx Equipment has unveiled its circular design strategy, System 0, which prioritises durability, repairability and disassembly at end of life.
The first product in the range is the Sperro SV jacket, built with Gore-Tex Pro Fabric featuring an ePE membrane.
The nylon face fabric and backer are separately designed for recyclability in partnership with Aquafil, the manufacturer of Econyl regenerated nylon.
Stuart Haselden, CEO of Arc'teryx, said: "System 0 represents a fundamental shift in how we build and scale our business with circularity front of mind. For decades, Arc’teryx has built gear that's meant to be repaired, not replaced. This is the next step forward. System 0 challenges us to consider the entire process of creating products so they can remain in use longer and ultimately be regenerated into something new. Our vision is a future where gear doesn’t end up in landfills but instead continues to have a purpose beyond its first life.”
Sperro SV is the first product to be certified by Testex Circularity, a standard Arc'teryx co-piloted as part of its work to fill a gap in circular product standards. The certification confirmed the jacket’s capacity for long-lasting wear, quick and easy repair, and ability to undergo a chemical recycling process to maximize reuse of materials.
When Sperro SV is no longer repairable, the recycling process grinds up the fabric, separating nylon materials from the Gore-Tex membrane, and returns the material to Aquafil to be regenerated into new Econyl yarn.
