CICLO

 

The CiCLO Story

CiCLO additive technology was born from a crisis of conscience.

The majority of the apparel we produced was made with synthetics like polyester because of their durability and performance characteristics — products were made to last. We utilized polyester made from recycled bottles, but had to ask ourselves: what about the larger environmental impact of use and disposal?

We knew we had to find a way to create products made to last but with an end of life solution built in. Annual estimates of plastic microfiber pollution caused by washing textiles is estimated to be equivalent in weight to 50 billion plastic bottles entering our oceans each year. And only 1% of all textiles produced globally are recycled in a closed loop system, confirming that mass textiles recycling is not viable today. That results in about 44 million pounds of synthetic textiles going to landfills in the USA alone every day. Like most plastics, synthetic microfibers and garments can remain in the environment for hundreds of years or maybe even forever. 

We searched extensively for a viable solution in the market. When we didn’t find one, we made one. We brought together a team of researchers and scientists to develop and test technology to enable synthetics to biodegrade in the environment at rates comparable to natural fibers like wool, without compromising durability during the useful life of a material. 

 

Characteristic

  1. Reduce microfiber pollution on land & in oceans
  2. Minimizes plastic accumulation in landfill
  3. Compatible with virgin & recycled raw materials
  4. Compatible with mechanical & chemical recycling
  5. OEKO-TEX certified