YKK tackles waste with zippers from recycled bottles

Natulon zippers are resource-conserving, recycling-oriented products made from PET bottles, old fibre and other polyester remnants. 10,000 Natulon zippers of 60 cm length recycle approximately 3,600 plastic bottles (29 g/bottle). The materially recycled zippers are bluesign certified, YKK said in a press release.

"Natulon is part of YKK’s latest collection of sustainable trims aimed at reducing carbon emissions, toxic chemicals, and water use. The collection features its GreenRise zipper, the first in the industry to use plant-based plastic, which contributes to the prevention of global warming by reducing fossil resource consumption. Also included in the collection are environmentally friendly snaps and buttons using a new finishing process that reduces thermal energy, water usage, and toxic chemicals and waste," the release added.

YKK continues to reduce carbon emissions in its manufacturing processes, including those that are directly due to manufacturing (Scope 1), indirectly from factory energy consumption (Scope 2), and from material procurement and transportation (Scope 3). These initiatives are being carried out globally.

In 2015, YKK (US) Inc. installed 1,968 solar modules on the roof of its Anaheim, CA facility, resulting in a CO2 offset of 896 tons per year. At YKK Bangladesh Ltd., a hybrid power generation system that combines solar power and diesel power generation was introduced in 2016, which has reduced fuel use by 90,000 liters and carbon emissions by 265 tons per year. As a result of such initiatives, globally YKK has reduced carbon emissions by 8.9 per cent (estimated) in 2018 compared to 2013. (RR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India