R Textiles Spotlight: Zimmermann

It’s been said that “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”   

Naturally, we agree. That’s because we are in this work - to reduce fashion waste - for the long-haul. So forward we go in close collaboration with like-minded, leading luxury fashion brands to provide recycling solutions to accelerate circularity and reduce obsolete textiles. 

R Textiles - our focus on IP sensitive materials

We recycle IP sensitive fabrics that carry distinctive prints and patterns that are typically unsuitable to reuse as-is. Recycling these tricky waste streams, which for too long have been more easily incinerated, requires long distance collaboration and dedication. 

Cue our long-term recycling and circular collaborations with Zimmermann, the luxury fashion brand from Australia, who have walked the walk with us over several break-through recycling processes on their IP sensitive fabrics, which are routinely created even throughout the leanest and most efficient business operations.

R TEXTILES SPOTLIGHT: 
Zimmermann’s recycled eyewear cases

We embarked on a challenging project to recycle Zimmermann’s IP-sensitive materials. Here, we devised a new supply chain with our trusted China recyclers to mechanically recycle Zimmermann’s IP-sensitive cotton and linen and transform this back into ‘new’ 60% recycled pre-consumer linen and cotton and 40% virgin cotton canvas fabric. Our ‘new’ recycled fabrics were then ready for Zimmermann to design back in-house into their timeless eyewear cases.

“The R Collective has been a strategic partner in identifying recycling solutions for Zimmermann’s fabrics, supporting us throughout the recycling process and creating opportunities for long-term partnerships to continue recycling our obsolete textiles,” said Michela Angiolillo, Sustainability and Social Compliance Manager at Zimmermann. “By using recycled fibres, we have tapped into existing materials and reduced the environmental impact that can result from the production of new textiles, such as the impact of greenhouse gas emissions, intensive water use and pollution.”

Discover more: Z X The R Collective

R TEXTILES SPOTLIGHT:
Zimmermann’s recycled silk uniform

We also worked closely with Zimmermann on their IP-sensitive 100% silk excess materials. Based on our expertise and our trusted recycling partner, we used a similar mechanical recycling process to create a stunning recycled silk yarn that was designed into their new retail staff uniforms, made of 50% recycled silk and 50% viscose.

“We look forward to continuing our work with The R Collective to recycle our excess IP sensitive textiles to ensure we can use the resulting yarns for many collections to come.” said Michela Angiolillo.

Discover more: Z X CIRCULAR SOLUTIONS

“Fashion’s waste is mounting. We need strong business leadership that is willing to go the long and hard distance to pilot and scale new recycling supply chains for IP sensitive materials,” said Dr. Christina Dean, The R Collective Founder. “Our four year strong work with Zimmermann proves the power of collaboration to make what feels impossible - possible.” 

Insights From Our Founder:
Hear from Christina Dean

“Fashion’s waste is mounting. We need strong business leadership that is willing to go the long and hard distance to pilot and scale new recycling supply chains for IP sensitive materials,” said Dr. Christina Dean, The R Collective Founder. “Our four year strong work with Zimmermann proves the power of collaboration to make what feels impossible - possible.”