What if it was now possible to transform waste into ethical and aesthetic accessories? We can't hold on any longer without announcing the next project.
Still haven't guessed? On the strength of its experience, Le Vent à la Française has now decided to innovate. Indeed, you have been able to contemplate and adopt our eco-responsible bracelets made of wood from eco-managed forests and with a 100% recycled polyester cord.
Today, we wanted to go further, to truly contribute to taking care of the planet. Faced with the terrible report of the current climate emergency, you are not unaware that the planet needs our help. Indeed, we could not remain passive in front of the shocking figures: In 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish, and marine fauna will be forced to feed only on aquatic waste.
It therefore seemed impossible to us to stop in such a good way and it is precisely from there that the idea of entirely recycled bracelets, resulting from this same pollution, emerges. This collection will thus offer elegant bracelets in recycled nylon, made from the recovery of used fishing lines and recovered plastic waste from seas and oceans around the world.
So, let us explain the choice of recycled nylon, and why we chose it in part, to act, collect and above all raise awareness.
Zoom on nylon
His history
To better understand our approach, we must go back to the beginnings of nylon, namely its appearance. Invented in 1935 by Wallace Carothers, an American, it was initially famous and used in the skydiving world.
Shortly after, it was a real success with the textile industries since it was considerably cheaper than a material like wool or even silk. It became popular with the general public in the United States, then in Europe, through nylon stockings and also tights.
A guarantee of solidity but of pollution
Greatly appreciated for its robustness, its impermeability and its high ability to dry very quickly, nylon continues to be produced in large quantities for its same qualities, yet it is a very controversial material today. Indeed, to obtain this flexibility and this resistance, it is necessary to use plastic, itself derived from petroleum.
From this, it does not currently meet the demand as well as the current problems since it includes a fiber from petrochemicals, very similar to that of polyester, renowned for its polluting aspect. Without necessarily mentioning the integration of oil into raw materials, the design of nylon requires a lot of energy and water, thus causing a lot of pollution.
But this negative impact does not stop at manufacturing because during washing, microparticles of the fibers have this annoying tendency to come off, then polluting the oceans and the seabed to unfortunately gradually destroy aquatic ecosystems. Also non-biodegradable, nylon pollutes throughout its life cycle, from its manufacture, when it is washed, until its end of life.
Distinguish between recycled nylon and virgin nylon
Faced with this dramatic observation, Le Vent à la Française could not remain inactive and decided to innovate to restore the image of nylon, but more particularly of recycled nylon. Many scientists are continually working to develop new technologies in textiles with the aim of preserving the positive characteristics of polluting materials while eliminating the negative ones.
To do this, you have to know how to differentiate between the two resources, so our team wanted to explain everything to you so that you can clearly understand the distinctions.
Aware of the great potential of nylon, we wanted to think about a way to make the most of it: recycled nylon seemed to us to be the ideal solution for the design of our straps. A real eco-responsible alternative, it was obvious for us to make use of its economical aspect in terms of energy and water.
Of a 0-waste nature since it is made from nylon that must be thrown away, there are several types of recycled nylon, depending on where it originates.
Econyl
Fully recycled and recyclable, Econyl is a nylon fiber that owes its design to waste from fabric scraps, plastic waste, used fishing nets and many other initially polluting elements.
Highly renowned for its ability to clean up the oceans, coasts and seashores, we can only salute its great usefulness and the intelligence of its invention. Backed by its commitments, it also helps marine wildlife and multiple marine ecosystems by removing waste that pollutes their natural habitats.
NILIT Ecocare
As for NILIT Ecocare , it is a fiber that has the particularity of being recycled up to 90%, at least, thanks to the recovery and recycling of a large amount of waste as well.
There is nothing better than exploiting the capacities of pre-consumer nylon destined to be thrown away to revalue it and give it a second, more ethical and ecological life. It is also GRS and Oeko-tex recognized!
The Q-NOVA
The textile fiber of the Q-NOVA is composed of 50% pre-consumer nylon, with the aim of recycling and recovering as much nylon scrap as possible.
This eco-responsible nylon only requires a mechanical transformation process, since it does not use any chemicals, toxic or harmful. It therefore also responds to a social, societal and environmental dimension.
For you to better visualize the positive impact of this type of recycled nylon, you should know that for 1kg of Q-NOVA, it is possible to save 25 liters of oil as well as 159 liters of water, in comparison with classic nylon.
So, convinced by the power of recycled nylon? Stay tuned so you don't miss the collection of bracelets designed in fishing lines this summer!
