Brands commit to recycled down #320

Downlite Outdoor, of Mason, Ohio, has been selected as a partner for recycled down jacket collections by leading brands such as Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, and Banana Republic for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

As momentum builds globally for more sustainable options, Downlite has worked to expand its supply network of reclaimed down beyond Europe, increasing the availability of the high-quality traceable fill. Recycled down is reclaimed primarily from pillows and comforters and then reprocessed and cleaned to a high-quality form, with fill powers ranging from 550 to 750. Downlite has expanded Its presence in Asia for recycling down to not only increase volume potential, but to also reduce how far product needs to be shipped to reach garment factories.Downlite Outdoor has been a Patagonia preferred supplier for a decade and continues to work closely with the brand to expand. Downlite’s 600 Fill Power recycled down is featured in styles such as the Womens-down-with-it parka.

Ralph Lauren, another long-term partner, has made an enormous commitment to recycled down for Autumn 22, moving away from polyester fill. It is also using all USA-sourced decycled down in the 2022 Olympic Closing Ceremonies jackets.

“Because of the limited recycled down networks in the USA, there really has never been an opportunity to supply 100% USA recycled down on a scalable level,” said Lindsay Parrish, VP of sales at Downlite Outdoor. “It’s an incredibly scarce resource – kudos to Ralph Lauren for putting a stake in the ground and seeing it through.”

Banana Republic has also greatly increased the use of Downlite recycled down in its Autumn 2022 portfolio.

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