Hong Kong's OI sources sustainable clothes for Otto Group's collection

05 Jul '22

3 min read

Pic: Otto International

OI's China and Turkey offices have helped to source four articles designed for circularity with sustainable design, materials, and recycling processes for Otto Group’s circular collection, including denim jeans, a shirt, and two dresses. Made from certified materials and designed for circularity, these articles are high-quality classics that are essential for every wardrobe.

The jeans OI sourced are made from GOTS certified cotton and elastane, GRS certified sewing yarns and removable buttons. Hence, all materials follow the same technical cycle for recycling. It is also laser-printed to reduce water consumption during production.

“At OI, we care about people and are mindful of our environmental impact. We commit to making our whole operation sustainable, allowing us to ensure the highest standards of quality and compliance in our supply chain. Therefore, the articles from this collection are designed with the principles of circular economy in mind to mitigate environmental damage and minimise waste,” the company said in a press release.

In a circular economy, articles are recycled and reused instead of discarded at the end of their product lifecycle, reducing waste and consumption of new materials. Since this is a complex process, finding sustainable solutions throughout the supply chain is crucial.

As Lisa Franke, sustainability manager, Circularity at Otto Group, believes, “the fashion of the future is circular!” Therefore, OTTO products and Lascana’s 100 per cent recyclable collection is designed with sustainability in mind right from the beginning.

Ed Hu, key account general manager, team Otto at OI Shanghai, who worked on sourcing the jeans and two-piece dress, explained that circularity requires carefully choosing materials that foster durability. The sustainable product design also prevents environmental pollution with natural dyes and, most importantly, results in an entirely reusable garment. Therefore, with responsible use, the clothing will never end up as waste!

“Although around 15 per cent of garments produced globally are collected to be recycled, only 1 per cent of these materials are actually recycled. A significant problem is the widespread use of blended fabrics made from various fibres, and accessories. For instance, a 100 per cent cotton t-shirt may still contain other materials like a label and thread used for stitching,” Stefan Goergner, global technical manager, testing and sustainable materials at OI, explained.

Since these materials come from different biological or technical cycles, recycling them while preserving high quality is impossible. Moreover, manually sorting textiles is both labour-intensive and requires a skilled workforce. With an unclear understanding of the components of a garment, they are usually discarded, which is why OTTO’s Circular Collection can make a significant difference!

With the circularity.ID, a simple tap on one’s smartphone allows customers to access the composition information, care label, and recycling instructions by scanning the QR codes on each garment. Everyone from customers to recyclers is thus involved in the valuable function of extending each product’s lifecycle and ensuring its quality is preserved during recycling.

Stefan believes that circular fashion is as much about a mindset and awareness change as it is about setting up facilities designed for circularity in the supply chain. Our international network of suppliers and focus on social compliance make it possible to ensure sustainability. However, as the feasibility of circular systems in fashion is still challenging, Stefan firmly believes that “the entire textile industry must implement circularity.”

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)