Giving an ode to Earth Day, Polo Ralph Lauren has unveiled a highly sustainable version of its iconic polo shirt, which is constructed entirely of recycled plastic bottles and utilizes a dying process that requires zero water. The brand is taking this shirt as a part of a broader strategy of fresh environmental goals throughout the manufacturing process, as per David Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s chief innovation officer and the youngest son of the company’s founder.
“Every day we’re learning about what’s happened with global warming and what’s happening all around the world, and our employees and our customers are really feeling that it’s time to step up and make a difference.” – David Lauren, Chief Innovation Officer, Ralph Lauren
This falls in line with the recent trend that has witnessed brands around the world opting for re-purposed and recycled materials. The brand has committed to removing at least 170 million bottles from landfills and oceans by 2025 with this launch. The shirts are produced in Taiwan, in partnership with First Mile, an organization that collects the bottles that are turned into yarn and, ultimately, fabric. Each shirt consumes about 12 bottles on an average. In classic colors of green, white, navy and light blue, it is available for men and women both. Ralph Lauren is aiming to develop a more significant sustainable strategy to change both its corporate culture and how it thinks about the clothes it produces, adding to the environmental initiatives it has taken over the years. The appointment of a new supply chain and sustainability officer, Halide Alagoz, is a part of this effort. “At the moment we’re refreshing our approach and framework around sustainability,” she said, while adding that they will release further details in June. Among the company’s other goals: the use of 100 percent sustainably sourced cotton by 2025 and 100 percent recyclable or sustainably sourced packaging materials by the same year.
