Kotis - Custom Sourcing

Imagine swag that’s super retail: completely custom items, colors, packaging… endless ways to make memorable merch for your crew. A world of custom possibilities awaits. We can help you get there.

We often are asked to showcase sustainable apparel to our customers. Many brands will claim their garment made from recycled plastic bottles is eco-friendly, but is it truly?

Benefits to using recycled plastic:

1. Waste Reduction: They help reduce plastic waste by repurposing bottles that might otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.
2. Resource Efficiency: Producing recycled polyester uses fewer resources compared to virgin polyester, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Durability: Recycled polyester is durable and long-lasting, potentially reducing the need for frequent replacements.
   

Drawbacks:

1. Microplastic Pollution: Washing these garments can release microplastics into waterways, contributing to environmental pollution.
2. Energy Use: The recycling process itself requires energy and resources, though generally less than producing new polyester.
3. End-of-Life: Like most synthetic fibers, recycled polyester is not biodegradable, posing disposal challenges at the end of its lifecycle.

While recycled bottle shirts are a step towards sustainability, their overall impact depends on responsible production, usage, and disposal practices. We chose a 100% organic cotton hoodie as our sustainable pick because the garment was well made, and the fabric is biodegradable (among the many other things tentree does for sustainability). While you can argue that cotton production has its own downfalls, we believe the overall impact has a higher sustainability rating.