I:CO? Who Dat?

I've mentioned I:CO in previous posts about H&M and Columbia.  I thought readers might want to know a little bit more about this revolutionary recycling company.  Today is the day!  You're welcome.

I:CO, which stands for I Collect, is a textile recycling company that has a goal to close the loop on textile recycling.  Each year over 150 million tons of clothing and shoes are sold and the majority will end up in a landfill.  I:CO wants to make that a thing of the past.  

To make it as easy as possible for consumers, I:CO has collection bins at point of sale retailers.  For example, if you wear Columbia shoes and you have a pair that you would normally throw away, take that pair with you when you get your new kicks and drop off the old ones right there!  How easy is that? 

I:CO has partnered with nearly fifty companies and has collection sites in more than 60 countries.  I:CO has a stringent sorting process that sorts materials based on up to 350 factors.  This means they are very picky about the sorting process to ensure the most sustainable outcome for every item they receive. 

Clothing and shoes that are still wearable go to second-hand stores to be given a second chance at life.  Unwearable items are first made into new clothing and shoes.  Shoe soles can be broken down into rubber granules and made into soles for new shoes.  Clothing fibers can be spun into yarn or denim.  Lastly, fibers can be made into insulation for automobiles and construction.  There are also creative items like Adidas rugs that are made from recycled clothing and shoes.  The possibilities are virtually endless.

The next time you have a pair of shoes or worn out clothing that you would normally throw away, remember that they are a valuable resource and can be made into something new and useful.  Want to learn more about I Collect?  Click here.

 Here are some of I:CO's partners:

Adidas

American Eagle Outfitters

Columbia

Forever 21

Guess

H&M

Kenneth Cole

Levis

The North Face

Timberland

and MORE!