Thread transforms plastic bottles into sustainable fabric, and partners with mainstream brands to produce clothing apparel products.
TARGET USERS: Individuals, Businesses, Industry
KEY CONSIDERATIONS: Thread collects and processes plastic bottles into fabric in Haiti and Honduras.
MORE INFORMATION: https://threadinternational.com/
THE PROBLEM
Single-use plastic bottles continue to pollute the environment and find pathways to the marine ecosystem.
THE SOLUTION
Thread collects plastic bottles from some of the poorest neighborhoods on the planet and transforms them into fabric. They then sell that fabric along with a 100% transparent supply chain to anyone who wants to make more responsible dresses, tops, shoes, and bags.
Every yard of Thread Ground to Good™ fabric is monitored from the moment it’s picked up as a bottle.
People in the First Mile of the supply chain collect bottles from the streets, their neighbors, even the landfill to trade for cash at a local plastic collection center. Once prepared and bundled, those bottles are piled on a truck and transported to a recycling facility for processing.
Workers at each recycling facility unload and grind the bottles to make plastic flakes. Labels and caps are removed to prevent non-PET material from reaching later phases of the supply chain. High-quality flake means superior fabric and ultimately a better livelihood for people in the First Mile.
Fibers can be spun and texturized to create a more substantial strand of yarn. Innovation in these steps allows recycled content to take the place of traditional materials, without compromising feel or flex.
Ground to Good™ yarn can be woven or knit to create unique fabrics and textures. In 2017, Thread had more than 35 fabrics in a variety of colors and finishes that enabled more designers to make an impact.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
Other solutions that collect plastic debris and upcycle into new products include Ocean Plastic by Parley.
