WATCH: From plastic bottles to reflective jackets

Monday 26 August 2019

A Jersey high-vis sportswear brand has vowed to do its bit for sustainability by making all of its jackets from recycled plastic bottles.

Proviz, which was launched in 2008 by Jersey-born co-founders Rupert and Anthony Langley-Smith, is hoping that the move will help cycling, running and outdoor enthusiasts to keep safe while protecting the environment.

The clothing company has now started manufacturing all inner linings of its jackets from Repreve, a recycled polyester made from recycled plastic bottles at one of the most advanced recycling centres in the USA.

Video: A video showcasing the research and development and cutting edge fabrics that Proviz uses.

The company, which was assisted by a “significant” loan from the Innovation Fund, says its committed to protecting the environment, as Mr Langly Smith explained.

“Growing up in Jersey, the sea has and always will play a huge part in our lives. This has led to a passion for the environment and sustainability,” he said.  

“'The Proviz Project' was set up to ensure all of our operations, products and services are aligned with our own personal values on integrity and ethical importance. From day one, Proviz as a brand has had a focussed mission to help people feel empowered through the products, therefore making a positive difference in their lives, but as the brand has grown it has become increasingly important to harness this growth for the greater good."

With billions of plastic bottles go into landfills every year, fibre Repreve aims to help cut this figure down.

After being cleaned, chopped, melted and turned into chips, the plastic bottles are transformed into a recycled fibre and finally into a fabric with properties including adaptive warming, cooling and water repellence.

Proviz is also encouraging its customers to recycle their old products. Those who post their old items for the company to recycle can receive a discount code in return. 

The returned products are then either recycled as second-hand clothes with Newlife or as secondary raw materials for the building industry or textile industry.

Video: The plastic bottles are cleaned, chopped, melted and turned into chips, before being transformed into a recycled fibre and finally into fabric.

Newlife is a charity for disabled children which has been recycling returned, sample and unsold textile stock for over 25 years, to raise funds for specialist equipment such as wheelchairs, buggies, seats and beds. 

Proviz's work with Newlife also sees the clothing company recycle returned stock, as well as end of line stock and samples. 

The latter are regularly donated to Newlife’s commercial recycling division, where it is fully de-labelled and de-branded, before being sold directly to the public through their retail stores. 

Pictured: Newlife provides specialist equipment such as wheelchairs, buggies, seats and beds to disabled children and their families.

In addition to the purchase of specialist equipment, profits generated by the sale of these products help Newlife support medical research into birth defects and campaigning at local and national government level to improve services and access to equipment in a bid to create a better future for children with disabilities. 

This isn't the only way the local clothing company is aiming to do good. Proviz also has a partnership with World Bicycle Relief, and has set up a system enabling customers to donate 50p - which it will match - to the charity by hitting a button at the checkout.

To date, donations from Proviz and its customers have helped fund almost 60 Buffalo Bicycles to help students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs in rural Africa be more mobile.