- Andrea Byrne
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H&M-owned brand Monki has announced the launch of a new recycling
machine, the ‘Green Machine’, and has said it is the first brand to use the
new technology to recycle mixed fibres on a large scale.
The non-profit H&M Foundation and the Hong Kong Research Institute of
Textile and Apparel (HKRITA) collaborated in creating the ‘Green
Machine’.
Through a hydrothermal process, the recycling machine separates cotton
and polyester blends from one another in a closed cycle. It uses heat,
water and less than five percent biodegradable chemicals to recycle large
quantities of clothing.
The first collection using the new recycling technology comprises a grey
hoodie and joggers which have “respect your mother (nature)” embroidered on
the set.
While the current collection is designed for smaller quantities, Monki
aims to use this type of production process on a larger scale by autumn
2021.
Jenny Fagerlin, sustainability director at Monki, said in a statement:
“As part of the fashion industry, I want Monki to be part of the solution,
not the problem. I know that we are able to drive progress and change the
way we act. I am still watching up every morning and want to change the
world.”
The collection will be available online from the end of November.
Photo credit: Monki
