Quiksilver hits plastic recycling milestone

QUIKSILVER’S recycling program has just hit a major milestone, turning 100 million bottles into boardshorts, jackets and other garments.

Since the surf brand started the program in partnership with REPREVE in 2012, about 3,500 tons of plastic has been repurposed.

Recycled polyester both gives a second life to used plastic and reduces the global footprint of a product significantly.

Producing recycled polyester consumes significantly lower amounts of energy (45 per cent) and water (20 per cent) than virgin polyester.

Overall, the recycled fabric produces a third less greenhouse gases than conventional polyester one.

The 100 million bottles recycled through the Quiksilver x REPREVE program save close to nine million litres of drinking water and provide the annual energy consumption of close to 1,000 households.

Each Quiksilver x REPREVE boardshort contains about 10 recycled bottles.

Only 10 per cent of all plastic produced worldwide is currently recycled, with the rest ending up in landfill or potentially the ocean, threatening both marine life and the global climate.

“We are very excited to contribute a part to the protection of something we genuinely care about — the ocean,” Quiksilver global general manager Garry Wall said.

“As surfers and snowboarders we need to think about the future, so our grandchildren can enjoy the mountain and the wave we love so much. Upcycling plastic waste into something that is useful for us, even today, is an important step.”

Quiksilver and fellow Boardriders Inc. brands Roxy and DC shoes have been using REPREVE yarn in their products for more than five years.

REPREVE starts the process by turning used plastic bottles into plastic flake, which is then converted into REPREVE chips. The chips are then melted, extruded and converted into yarn that carries the same performance qualities as conventional polyester.

About half of Quiksilver’s range consists of REPREVE products, and the company has committed to using 100 per cent REPREVE yarn in all boardshorts over the next few years.

The snow collection will follow suit, increasing the adoption of both REPREVE yarn and other sustainable materials.