The Swiss outdoor outfitter Odlo was able to increase the proportion of its items made from recycled or natural fibers by 15 percent year-on-year: two-thirds are made from these materials. This brings the company one step closer to the 2030 goal of 100 percent recycled or natural materials.
“When I look my children in the eye, I want to be able to tell them that we are now on the right track in terms of respect for people and nature, so that their children can also grow up on a fair and healthy planet,” explains Odlo CEO Knut Are Høgberg in a press release.
The company achieved the increase with its new down jackets for FW22, among other things. The jackets in the N-Thermic line are filled with neokdun down from old bedding and clothing, while the models in the S-Thermic line feature G-Loft and PrimaLoft technology, a synthetic premium padding made from recycled consumer waste.
Odlo was also able to recycle children’s clothing: In June 2022, the brand launched a small collection of functional clothing for children made entirely from remnants of fabric that are as good as new. “This colourful, stylish and practical children’s collection gives a new life to what is actually called ‘waste’ and saves 12.3 tons of textiles from being thrown away or burned,” says Odlo.
The use of recycled materials has increased steadily at ODLO in recent years and is now the guiding principle in the selection of materials. “Non-recycled materials are a no-no for me and I try to apply that ethos across our range. While the functionality of the materials is paramount, we always prefer recycled or natural fabrics. If these affect the overall functionality of the garment, then we rethink the design from the ground up,” explains Rebekah Ziegner, Odlo’s Senior Material Manager.