A Step Forward in Sustainability
Throughout our journey to design and make better belts, we have aimed to do so in a way that is more sustainable for our environment. For the first time, in the autumn of 2022, every Arcade belt will be made from post-consumer, certified REPREVE® recycled polyester.
Watch the video to hear from Devon Lambert, Sourcing/Operations, on how REPREVE® recycled polyester works and our projected impact on the planet.
A formula of gold standard sourcing and fabrication that is fully traceable, our products now leave a smaller footprint without sacrificing an ounce of comfort, durability, or functionality.
What is REPREVE®?
REPREVE® is the leading, most trusted brand of recycled performance fibre that is made from used plastic bottles. The use of plastic bottles goes beyond finding new life for recycled materials. Compared to making what's called virgin fibre, making REPREVE® offsets using new petroleum, emitting fewer greenhouse gases and conserving water and energy in the process. That makes a big difference for our future.
REPREVE® transforms plastic bottles into high quality fibres and yarns that ultimately provide durable performance properties that make up 85% of Arcade’s belt webbing.
How Do We Verify the Recycled Content In Our Products?
Not all eco-friendly claims can be taken at face value, and some can be down right misleading. We are adamant about transparency of the materials we use, and substantiating our claims of recycled content in our products. By using REPREVE®, we are able to leverage U Trust, a verification program that certifies recycled content claims. It is done through a FiberPrint technology that traces the content of the yarn we use and validates its composition.
Why Use Post-Consumer Recycled Materials?
In the world of recycled plastics, there is post-consumer and pre-consumer. Post-consumer waste are things like water bottles, whereas pre-consumer waste comes from manufacturing processes that never actually make it to the consumer. While both types of recycled plastics are significantly more sustainable than raw materials, post-consumer waste has a greater likelihood to end up in landfills because it tends to be more contaminated and require more processing to rework. By utilizing post-consumer recycled materials in our belts, we reduce our carbon footprint in a greater way.
Does Using Recycled Materials Affect Quality?
The short answer is, yes. That’s why our team explored many options of recycled or eco-friendly materials and found that polyester made from recycled plastics is the best material for making our belts. While many types of fabric can degrade when it’s made from recycled materials, recycled polyester retains durable properties, making it the most suitable for Arcade’s performance webbing. All of our belt designs go through rigorous testing to ensure they lead long adventurous lives.
Are Arcade Belts Made of 100% Recycled Materials?
Our belt webbing is made of 85% REPREVE® recycled polyester, and 15% natural rubber, which is a virgin material. Our buckles are made of POM or nylon, which are also virgin materials. While recycled elastics and plastics exist, we found that these alternatives are not as durable, and don't meet our standards for performance and longevity. We opted to use virgin materials for the buckle and stretch component of our belts because ultimately, the more sustainable solution is to make products that last longer.
