THE ULTIMATE CIRCLE
How do we do this?
Having a positive impact on the environment starts with cleaning up plastic waste. That's why PET bottles are collected and fishing nets are removed from the Mediterranean Sea. Our cycling clothing is then made from these waste materials, and we are proud of that!
We use recycled materials, produce as close to home as possible, and work hard to make our cycling clothing fully circular. At the moment, 90-95% of our clothing is made from recyclable materials. Meanwhile, we try to keep our footprint as low as possible. This way, we are part of the solution rather than the problem. The quality of our products is crucial in this, as the better our products, the longer their lifespan and the more enjoyable bike rides!
Every day, we try to take that extra step to complete the circle. With every decision we make, we strive to minimize our impact on the world. That's why we're constantly pushing the boundaries of sustainability. Our next goal? Full circularity by 2024!
Let's begin by discussing the current life cycle of cyclewear
Typically, cyclewear is composed primarily of polyester, polyamide, and elastane, all of which are derived from plastics that are products of oil. This means that when we wear cyclewear, we are essentially wearing oil products. While this may not sound particularly appealing, it is the reality of the situation. The manufacturing process for cyclewear involves transforming the byproducts of oil production into plastic pellets, which can then be heated and extruded through a small hole to create yarn. This yarn can then be spun and woven into fabric, which can be cut, colored, and sewn into cyclewear. Once we have worn our cyclewear to the point of being no longer usable, we typically dispose of it, either by throwing it away or having it collected by garbage collectors. Unfortunately, much of this clothing cannot be recycled or repurposed, and is instead either burned or buried in landfills, depending on where we live. Clearly, this is not a sustainable system. Now that we have an understanding of the existing cyclewear model, let's explore some potential solutions.
Our first step
Our initial improvement involves utilizing plastic waste as a raw material for our cyclewear. With the increasing availability of recycling options, we can now use recycled plastics such as pet bottles, fishing nets, and carpets to produce yarns, which are then woven into fabrics and transformed into cyclewear. This approach offers several benefits, the most evident of which is the reduction of damage to our planet when plastic waste is removed from the environment. By using plastic waste as our raw material source, we can reduce the CO2 footprint of our materials by at least 50% while also eliminating the need for virgin plastics derived from oil. However, as a European brand, we must ensure that we exclusively use domestic waste instead of imported materials from Asia. Thus, we aim to establish a transparent value chain that provides us with information about the origin of the plastic waste we use. Currently, the majority of the waste we employ comes from the Mediterranean sea, and our 2023 midterm objective is to make this our primary source. Additionally, it is essential to note that PET bottles should remain in a closed-loop system for optimal use.
Manufacturing
We have the ability to influence the type of energy used by the producers of plastic pellets, yarns, fabrics, and cyclewear. The source of energy, such as wind or solar power, can significantly reduce emissions compared to coal-based energy. Additionally, having these producers located nearby can reduce unnecessary emissions from transportation. To further reduce our environmental impact, we can take smaller steps like using recycled materials for packaging and labels or eliminating them altogether. We have already addressed many of these issues, but to make further improvements, we are conducting a life cycle analysis. This analysis will provide valuable insights on how to continue lowering the impact of our cyclewear.
What can you do at home?
One of the significant actions you can take at home is to use a micro plastic washing bag. Perhaps you're wondering what that is. Allow me to elaborate. You may be aware that cyclewear contains plastic, which can result in the release of microplastics when you wash your kit. These tiny bits of plastic enter our water bodies and harm our oceans. Did you realize that a city with 50,000 residents releases the equivalent of 7,500 plastic bags in the form of microplastics into the ocean each day due to washing machines? By using a micro plastic washing bag, you can prevent up to 80% of microplastics from entering our water. It may seem odd that we're encouraging you to use a plastic bag to protect the ocean from plastic, but trust us, it works. That's why we've made it available in our shop. LINK.
SUSTAINABILITY
We produce cyclewear while keeping our footprint as low as possible. So we can be part of the solution. Will you join us?
CIRCULARITY
Closing the loop is what drives us every day. Creating something new from what others call waste, will be the future.
QUALITY
We offer high quality products since this results in a long lifecycle and many joyful rides. Check our products in the shop.