More than 2bn pairs of tights, made using crude oils, are discarded every year, with each pair possessing a climate footprint of 1 kilogram of CO₂e. Dear Denier is addressing this issue.
Addressing post-consumer waste
The Dear Denier Recycling Initiative addresses the issue of post-consumer waste from hosiery consumption. They collect worn-out tights from retailers and consumers worldwide, which are then used in lab tests of a promising new technology that aims to recycle tights’ specific nylon and elastane-blend. The goal is to make new tights from discarded ones and close the product loop. Currently, Dear Denier tights are made using recycled nylon and elastane yarns from pre-consumer waste. This combined with their zero-waste production, powered by renewable energy, enables them to save significant amounts of CO2e, energy and water.
The launch of this disruptive technology – the ability to make high quality post-consumer recycled nylon – will revolutionize the nylon industry by removing the need for virgin nylon and allow them to save more than 5 litres of water, 6 kilowatt-hours and 2 kilos of CO2e per pair of tights produced.
Working with the same fibers throughout their product portfolio allows all products, such as activewear and underwear, to be collected at end-of-life
About Dear Denier
Dear Denier is Nordic design at its best. Combining design with state-of-the-art production in zero-waste factories in Italy run on clean energy only. They use sustainable materials such as recycled nylon and elastane, and low impact materials.
Their approach merges science and fashion and they work closely with innovative yarn and hosiery manufacturers as well as with scientists in the field of sustainability. In 2020 they launched an ambitious international take-back system and recycling initiative to improve the handling of hosiery at end-of-life.
Their methods enables them to significantly reduce COe emissions, pollution, water and energy consumption.