Fashion United Sustainability Special

Circularity is the hottest kid in town. Players across the fashion industry are increasingly investing in more sustainable products and ways of working. Although 2020 was a tough year for many in the retail industry, the company Waste2Wear grew their business significantly: The crisis actually made many large brands realize the necessity for change, including shifting to recycled materials in uniforms, shopping bags etc. With the unique blockchain solution allowing full transparency and traceability for their recycled fabrics, Waste2Wear got several global brands on their customer list in 2020.
March 22, 2021

Waste2Wear started research on how to use polyester from recycled plastics in the early 2000s, and has made high quality RPET based products since 2008. The experience and knowledge about working with a source material quite different from virgin polyester enables the team to deliver a large variety of textile qualities and finished products. Working with brands like Fabienne Chapot and Perfect Moment gives the opportunity to continuously develop new materials in top quality.

Sharing The Story With End Users

The main beneficiary of more sustainable fabrics are the environment and workers involved in the supply chain. But there is no contradiction between this and financial success of brands. Customers are increasingly looking for sustainable options, and demanding transparency.

Waste2Wear has been a pioneer in implementing blockchain verification through the supply chain. This secures the authenticity of the RPET and RPP (used in bags) and reduce the risk of subcontracting. At the same time, it offers a unique possibility for the brands to share their sustainability-story with the end customers.

A QR code on the labels or product (e.g. shopping bags) gives any user insight in where the material is sourced and how the product is made. Any smartphone with internet connection can be used to see detailed information about the recycling, and more information about sustainability initiatives by the brand can be added.

The RPP bag is an invention by Waste2Wear. The research team at the company has developed a process to use plastics from inside of fridges, air conditioners etc. to make non-woven fabrics with excellent characteristics for shopping bags and packaging for e-commerce.

Helping The Oceans

The area where plastic waste has the most harmful impact is the oceans. If waste is not well managed and plastics end up in the water, ocean wildlife is directly harmed. Waste2Wear has partnered with plastic pickers along the waterways to make plastic waste in high risk of ending up in the ocean into a valuable resource. Waste2Wear can make fabrics with up to 30% of polyester from ocean plastic, which is the highest ratio in the industry.

An important issue related to polyester fabrics is the shedding of micro plastics. The latest research estimates that 4% of micro plastics in the ocean comes from washed clothes., compared to for example 16% from old car tires. (link: https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2017-002-En.pdf)

As a leader in research and development for recycling in the fashion industry, Waste2Wear wish to build a community for brands and people interested in circularity. Follow their Instagram, LinkedIn or website for news on products, research and recycling information.

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Sven Bleekemolen

Sven Bleekemolen is a Dutch entrepreneur and textile engineer. He is a versatile executive with a broad skill set and experience in a global marketplace. Lived and worked in Europe, Indonesia, and Turkey. Solid expertise in management of start-up to mature fashion companies in competitive wholesale and retail markets.

In his role as director of several companies, Sven built strong knowledge of international wholesale, retail, B2B sales, production and brand development. He has a strategic and innovative mindset, always focused on business development. He has a record of identifying opportunities and leading diverse teams to surpass revenue goals.

Sven has a strong focus on sustainability and is excited to discover the possibilities that lie in Waste2Wear’s groundbreaking material and blockchain technologies. He is committed to creating a major contribution to the business performance of Waste2Wear along with the transition to a more circular economy for a better outcome of the world.

Hein Barnhoorn

Olivier van Migem

Ruma Kinger

Rena Jiang

Rena Jiang has over 20 years experience in the textile industry. Knowing how polluting the industry is, Rena is proud to be making a positive impact by doing the right thing with Waste2Wear.

Christophe Marze

Christophe Marze has over 15 years specializing in structuring and powering up businesses in Asia. As a French national, he has spent many years living and working in Germany and in China. Christophe is passionate about continuous improvement, sustainability and compliance which are from him the pillars of a healthy business drive.

Jeroen van der Wind

Jeroen van der Wind is an entrepreneur, specializing in international trade within the textile and promotional industries in South East Asia for over three decades. He was managing partner of The Cookie Company for many years, producing licensed kids apparel for several multinational customers. In combination with a healthy business drive, he is determined to help further the Waste2Wear mission of relieving the planet of the plastic problem to create a better world, especially for his four adult children.

Eduardo Garza Garcia

Eduardo Garza Garcia is a Mexican designer and entrepreneur specializing in sustainable solutions for plastics. He has been pivotal in innovations including the industry-first recycled polypropylene (RPP) from discarded domestic appliances; a unique RPET verification method (RA-3) proving the recycled plastic content in materials and the industry-first blockchain technology. Thanks to his innovations, Waste2Wear has won several prestigious environmental awards. Eduardo is truly an innovator in the world of recycled plastics constantly working for new ways to bring more transparency to the recycling industry.

Stefan Kleijkamp

Stefan Kleijkamp is a highly experienced Global Quality and Compliance Manager with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Originally from the Netherlands, Stefan has spent the last two decades working in Asia, with 17 of those years in China. He is fluent in Chinese and has worked with a wide range of product groups including textile, apparel, hard goods and plastics. Throughout his career, Stefan has held positions in quality and compliance management for both large and medium sized companies, as well as in purchasing and logistics. His extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of the challenges and issues facing the industry, particularly in relation to traceability of recycled materials such as textile, cotton and polyester. With his expertise in quality and compliance, Stefan is dedicated to ensuring that the products and services provided by Waste2Wear meet the highest standards in quality, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Monique Maissan

Monique Maissan is a Dutch entrepreneur and textile engineer specializing in sustainable solutions for the industry. As CEO and founder of Waste2Wear, she leads a committed team in creating products and services for a better future. Her vision has driven the company to produce fabrics and products made from recycled plastic bottles (RPET) and recycled polypropylene (RPP) plus award winning blockchain and RPET verification test RA-3.

Monique has won several industry awards, most recently:

Finalist of “Future Leader” World Sustainability Awards 2022;
“Outstanding Achiever” of Global Green Economic Forum, Women Eco Game Changer Awards 2022;
“Woman Leader in Plastic Recycling” Plastic Recycling Conference Asia** 2022;
“The Sustainable Entrepreneur of the Year” of Entrepreneurs’ Organization*** 2021.

She is constantly on the lookout for new and better ways to recycle more plastic. Monique’s drive comes from her determination to do her part to leave this world in a better place for her two adult children and all of the next generation