icebreaker has released their latest Transparency Report outlining their progress towards being 100 per cent plastic-free.
Since icebreaker’s commitment to being “plastic-free by 23”, it has acknowledged it hasn’t achieved that goal but is celebrating reaching 96.14 per cent and is exploring bio-based alternatives to synthetics.
Its recent capsule collection – Connected in Nature – a collab with The North Face redefines performance adventure wear and is crafted from 100% plastic-free fibres.
Good caught up with icebreaker director of materials and innovation, Jordi Beneyto-Ferre to get the lowdown.
Why did icebreaker add plastic to their range, and why is icebreaker now on a mission to remove the plastic content?
The uncomfortable truth is plastic is still the dominant textile in the fashion and apparel industry world-wide. Statistics tell us that half of the clothes in our wardrobes (and on our backs right now) are in fact made from materials derived from petrochemicals.
However, as a brand, icebreaker has always been focused on removing unnecessary plastic from adventure apparel, wherever possible. On the practical side of things, merino breathes, doesn’t smell, it’s lightweight, easy to care for, manages moisture and regulates temperature.
On the environmental side, merino is a natural fibre and it has the potential to surpass synthetics and plastics for a better future. Our relationship with nature and our growers enables us to nurture the highest quality merino wool from New Zealand. Tracing 100% of our merino wool to its source exemplifies the brand’s commitment to responsible sourcing. We’ve built strong relationships by securing 10-year supply contracts with our growers, which creates added trust, to the point that we know each of them by name. Our growers, many of them part of the ZQRX program, reflect our dedication to the betterment of the planet.
At what stage was plastic added, and when did it start being removed? How is icebreaker achieving this?
In 2017, icebreaker started its plastic-free journey, with 84% of its fibres being natural or plant-based. In 2020, icebreaker set a goal to be ‘plastic-free by 23’. So far, we’ve reached 96.14% plastic-free. We’re confident we will be able to achieve our plastic-free mission and are expected to hit 97.10% by the end of 2024.
icebreaker is achieving its plastic-free goal by taking a holistic approach to regenerative agriculture, our road to transparency includes:
– Progress Over Perfection – We boldly acknowledge our 2023 100% plastic-free goal was not achieved; we proudly celebrate our failure of only reaching 96.14% plastic-free.
– Always Mindful Of The ‘How’ – Sourcing of fibres responsibly is a given, not an exception. We can trace the origin of 100% of our merino wool.
–Never Choosing The Easiest Path – We are always on the quest for solutions, leading the revolution on fabrics by exploring bio-based alternatives to help pave the way to a petrochemical-free future.
–We Know Our Suppliers By Name – Fewer suppliers means better relationships. We continuously work to build strong partnerships with suppliers at all tiers of our global supply chain.
–Partnering Up For The Greater Good – Being part of the ZQRX programme with our merino wool growers supports us on our journey towards our aim of moving to regeneratively grown wool.
–Give Back More Than We Take – Regenerative is the future, our future. We’re focused on regenerative farming principles and renewable resources to help lighten our environmental footprint.
Where does icebreaker source their merino?
We are committed to sourcing wool and fibres in the most responsible way possible and prioritising our relationships with growers and partners to do so. 100% of our merino wool comes from RWS certified farms and almost 50% are a part of the ZQRX wool sourcing programme which considers fibre quality, animal welfare and health, and the environment.
