The Eco Changing Bag
It is now more important than ever to be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible. We are far from perfect, but we are always learning, adapting and trying to make a change. We get it. We’ve watched all of David Attenborough’s documentaries, swapped plastic bags to tote bags and bought a reusable coffee up but we know that isn’t enough. To make a real change we need to adapt our processes, materials and our thoughts.
That’s why we are committed to make a difference not only in our personal lives but also in the way we work, because if we don’t change now our babies will grow up in a different world than we grew up in and we are not okay with that. Today we speak with our design team and they share how and why we decided to launch an eco-range and the difference it is making.
Why did you decide to make an eco-range?
We are committed to reducing our waste, and using as many sustainable materials as we can, whilst not compromising the quality of our products. With 8 million tons of plastic ending up in our oceans, and an estimated 140 million pounds of textiles dumped in landfill in the UK each year, using RPET makes a real difference.
Since launching our eco-collection in 2019, we have saved 111,744 plastic bottles from landfill. An amazing feat which we will continue to increase year on year.
How do you turn a plastic bottle into a changing bag?
This is the really fascinating part! PET/ plastic bottles are collected, sterilized and crushed into small chips. These chips are heated and spun into long strings of yarn, which is then dyed and woven into a durable recycled polyester fabric. Our suppliers then use this to create our eco collection.
What’s the difference between polyester and recycled polyester?
Polyester is a synthetic fibre made from crude oil. It’s durable and lightweight, so is a go-to fabric in the fashion industry. Polyester fibres account for 65% of all materials used in our industry however, its production requires high amounts of energy, emitting greenhouse gases that impact our environment. As a comparison, the production of polyester emits almost three times the amount of cotton!
Recycled polyester, is also man-made, but it uses existing post-consumer waste, normally plastic bottles, instead of raw crude oil. It uses 30-50% less energy to produce, which reduces carbon emissions as well as the demand on precious raw minerals. Using RPET, as it is commonly referred to, helps reduce waste in landfills as well as soil and water contamination.
What is the material like to work with compared to what you usually use?
The finished material is just as strong and durable as virgin polyester, resulting long lasting products, which can be used long after its nappy toting years.
Are your eco bags made from 100% recycled materials?
Our eco collection uses 100% recycled polyester for the main outer fabric. They are not completely 100% recycled, but we’re working on it. Trims such as webbings, zips and vegan leather accents are not made from recycled sources yet, but as we develop we plan to end up with a fully recycled product.
Can you recycle the bag after use?
We take pride in the fact that our bags can be used for many years. However, all good things do come to an end and if you find your bag is past its prime and can’t be donated or passed onto someone else. You can find textile recycle schemes at some local councils or recycling centres. We currently do not have the facilities to recycle our own bags.
