The amazing aspect of the performance apparel worn in the participation of sports and activities is the ability for the fabric to support the body. The flexibility is made possible by the material consisting primarily of polyester. While many people are unaware of what their clothes are made of, brands have long been aware that creating apparel from polyester and virgin plastics contributes to micro-fiber shedding.
As synthetic and natural fabrics are produced, worn, and cleaned, they shed fibers at varying rates.
Recycling programs and testing programs to prevent shedding are expensive. Brands find it difficult to implement the correct measures when attempting to keep shareholders happy. It’s not until a solution is generated that is cost effective is when there are changes made.
Over the past eight months, the partners have developed and optimized fiber-shed test kits for industry use that employ Under Armour’s simplified, repeatable method. The resulting test kits are now available for purchase from James Heal. As part of the partnership, the companies are receiving continued support and technical guidance from testing service provider Hohenstein – an internationally recognized and acclaimed testing, research, and certification leader with roots in the textile sector.
Sneaker Impact understands the effort being made. As we move further into our research and development in shredding completely unusable footwear, we want to better understand Under Armour’s work and how it can be applied to our current techniques we are using to separate materials from rubber to foam. A post-production program isn’t the final solution, but Under Armour recognizes a solution has to be put into place to begin adapting to a better method of make and to reduce waste both visible and the trace amounts unseen by the human eye.
https://www.sneakerimpact.com/recycling/research-and-development-at-sneaker-impact/
