Sustainability is a buzz-word across the textile and clothing industries the world over. Players are increasingly investing energies in making their supply chains as well as end products green. Now brands are turning to recycled feathers recovered from old blankets and pillows for their new collections.
This year, two outdoor clothing manufacturers introduced winter ranges made with recycled down feathers in the US market. Spanish brand Ternua and American company Nau both have unveiled jackets and vests featuring feathers extracted from old blankets and pillows. While such items have been common in the European market for a last couple of years, even the American market seems to be adopting this trend.
Concerns about the ethical side of down production have been on the rise especially because of live-plucking of the birds for high-quality winter clothing products. However, experts feel that usage of recycled feathers is emerging as a viable solution. However, some players argue that the process of cleaning required for recycled down is similar to that of the new down.
www.nau.com
