Unifi announces winners of Repreve Champions of Sustainability Awards

Unifi, makers of Repreve performance fiber, has announced the recipients of the fifth annual Repreve Champions of Sustainability Awards. All recipients have used Repreve fibers, which are made from recycled plastic bottles, in the creation of sustainable products such as clothing, shoes and home goods.

The awards will be presented to 39 brand and retail companies that have transformed 10 million or more recycled plastic bottles, and 53 textile partners that have transformed 50 million or more recycled plastic bottles.

Nike and Target both have transformed more than 2 billion bottles, which Unifi says is a major milestone. Polartec, Walmart and Texhong Textile Group Ltd. follow with more than 1 billion bottles transformed each.

A total of nearly 14 billion recycled bottles have been used by recipients to create products.

In addition, three companies are being recognized for special award categories.

Mavi, an international apparel company based in Turkey, has been given the Special Recognition Award for its leadership in the denim market and commitment to sustainability.

Jiaxing Xinran Textile Co. Ltd., a company based in China that has implemented Repreve in its spandex-covered yarns, has been given the Newcomer Award.

The Partner in Innovation Award has been given to Lucky Textile Mills Ltd., a textile mill based in China that has used Repreve TruTemp365 to create clothing that can perform in both hot and cold weather.