In this partnership, ReCircled which provides the infrastructure for the circular economy by facilitating apparel and footwear brands’ transition to a sustainable, fully circular business model, spearheads the administration of its Branded Take Back Programme and collaborates with brands and retailers’ distribution centres to handle unsaleable items.
ReCircled will sort the denim products by brand and prepare them for recycling. Once sorted, cleaned, and determined, the denim will make its way to Kaltex for the recycling process, thus closing the loop in a true circular fashion.
Scott Kuhlman, CEO of ReCircled said: “From the beginning, we knew that collaboration was needed to build the systems that allow for recycling textiles at the highest level. With the system we now have in place, it’s finally a reality.”
This Textile-to-Textile process offers brands and retailers an all-encompassing solution to create Circular Denim, with ReCircled and Kaltex managing the entire journey from beginning to end.
Echoing Kuhlman’s sentiments, Eric Goldstein, EVP of Kaltex Apparel added: “Kaltex has been recycling cotton for 15 years but now we are truly circular with the infrastructure to pick up cotton products from almost any place in the USA and transport to our facility where we are vertical from fibre to finished goods.
“This process is the first of its kind in the hemisphere, it’s transparent, sustainable with a very low carbon footprint, and truly circular.”
Kaltex, stands as the largest fully vertical producer of denim, piece dye, apparel, and home products in North America, with facilities encompassing mechanical recycling, spinning, dyeing, weaving, and cutting/sewing/laundry operations.
The company boasts an unwavering commitment to sustainability, mentioning its own natural gas-fired cogeneration energy plant and water treatment facilities. Kaltex holds certifications such as RCS, ZDHC, Oeko Tex, and WRAP.
