UPPAREL launches completely recycled and recyclable textile material
By Tamanna Wadhwani 26 July 2023
UPtex has the potential to replace many virgin resource-made products in homewares, packaging, furniture and signages and create a circular economy for textiles.
Textile recovery and recycling innovators UPPAREL recently launched a new ground-breaking material called UPtex that is completely made from recovered textiles and entirely recyclable across multiple lifecycles. This material is versatile enough to replace a wide array of commercial and consumer products usually made from virgin resources, including cardboard, corflute, polyurethane foam, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics, fibreglass and polystyrene.
The material can be used for various products that require printing, folding, stitching or laser cutting, adjusted to varying densities and thicknesses, and can withstand harsh weather conditions without compromising its recyclability. At this stage there is significant interest from the commercial and industrial sector to use UPtex for signage, homewares, packaging, acoustic panelling and furniture.
Tina Elias, co-Founder at UPPAREL said the launch of UPtex represented a breakthrough in their vision for waste reimagined.
"We have dedicated years to perfecting this technology, and we are thrilled to introduce a product that not only redefines sustainability but also showcases the immense potential of recycled textiles. UPtex is just the beginning of our journey to create a circular economy and pave the way for a more sustainable future,” said Elias.
After reaching their end-of-life, UPtex products can be returned to UPPAREL for recycling all over again. This can be done via UPPAREL's existing nationwide clothing collection service, via drop-offs at an in-store UPPAREL recycling bin, or via a dedicated UPtex take-back scheme established in partnership with organisations distributing the product.
“UPPAREL has introduced UPtex globally and demonstrated the opportunities that exist within Australia and New Zealand in not just tackling textile waste but transforming waste materials into valuable everyday resources with complete traceability and transparency,” said Michael Elias, co-Founder and CEO of UPPAREL.
To date, UPPAREL have already saved over 10,000,000 pieces of textile from reaching landfill. Out of these, textiles that are fit for wear are distributed to their trusted charity partners for reuse. The ones that do not make the reusability cut are collected, sorted and recycled into an UPtex product.
UPPAREL are currently gauging interest from organisations looking to use the UPtex material in their products or projects. This partnership will include providing UPtex with the organisations’ specifications for manufacturing and ensuring UPtex products maintain recyclability by correctly collecting them for recycling at the end-of-life. Learn more by visiting Uptex.
Tamanna moved from India to Australia to pursue a degree in environmental science and conservation biology. After learning about the concept of a circular economy in 2020, she worked with various organisations in this sector and is interested in solving complex climate change and waste management problems. She loves to communicate with people about all things sustainability or animals. Outside of work, Tamanna is a budding hip hop dancer who also loves travelling, cat cuddles and reading.
