Sustainability Fashion: AG launched biodegradable jeans were as Puma releases collection made from textile industry waste

This Earth Day, AG has launched The Jean Of Tomorrow, a capsule collection featuring 100 percent biodegradable denim pieces rooted in clean, circular fashion. The collection represents the brand’s 20 years of sustainable manufacturing, and re-establishes AG’s mission to radically rethink what sustainable denim design looks like for the future of the brand. AG examined every aspect of the modern denim industry and approached The Jean of Tomorrow from a holistic mindset. The brand’s methods seek to tackle sustainability from the first stages of sourcing materials to refining the manufacturing processes, even accounting for the post-life journey of the product.

Developing the sustainable jean began with sourcing fabric close to AG’s Mexico facility to reduce the carbon footprint associated with overseas transportation. The jeans are made from organic cotton, grown without pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers, and thoughtfully blended with hemp—a high-yield crop that produces significantly more fiber per acre than cotton and has a lower CO2 impact. Plant-based and biodegradable lyocell is added to give a soft hand and lustrous finish to the final fabric.

Using Distilled Indigo, an eco-awarded indigo, greatly reduces the consumption of water, chemicals, and energy in the dying process, while advanced laser finishing, eco-friendly wash ingredients, recycled water, and ozone technology further reduces water consumption while eliminating the need for harsh chemicals during finishing. The jean is sewn together using plant-based and biodegradable Tencel thread. Stitched rivets replace traditional metal rivets, and corozo button closures made from natural corozo nut eliminate all metals from the collection. The expected care, content, and size labels are replaced with screen-printed solutions in an eco-friendly soy-based ink. Hangtags and flashers are designed in a unique seed paper that when planted will grow wildflowers.

The initial release will feature three of their most popular fits including Tellis, a men’s modern slim, Alexxis, a women’s high-rise vintage straight, and Sid, a men’s pleated trucker jacket. The collection will be available exclusively on agjeans.com and in AG retail stores across the country.

AG has been focused on progressing manufacturing processes towards a more sustainable future with early and significant investments in ozone technology, laser finishing, solar energy, and most recently water recycling. Currently, AG recycles over 100,000 gallons of water per day, with the goal to recycle over 50 million gallons per year, a 90 percent reduction from prior years.

Samuel Ku, AG’s President and creative director, asserts the importance of a top-down need for investment in sustainability within the fashion industry. “There is a responsibility for big companies with large manufacturing programs to step up and adopt more eco-friendly processes,” he said in a statement. “It takes widescale investment and adoption to really move the needle in terms of impact, as well as drive down the costs of sustainability so that we can see it become the new norm for all brands. AG strives to always challenge the conventional and push the boundaries of what is achievable with consideration to reducing impact on the planet, and The Jean Of Tomorrow is just another example.”

On the other hand sporting company Puma has released a collection of footwear, apparel, and accessories constructed from its own production waste and recycled materials.

Re.Gen collection was designed to minimize waste in the textile industry and incorporate recycled material from Puma’s production. It features leather off-cuts, recycled polyester made from recycled plastic, and 20 percent recycled cotton. All footwear in the collection is made with a least 20 percent recycled material.

Each piece in the collection is unique, mixing fabrics, colors, and cutlines, including different patterns inspired by broken-down plastic. A badge and label are included letting consumers know the history of the product.

“Puma is committed to reducing its environmental impact and living up to its code of being ‘forever better.’ Re.Gen is designed for this shared mindset; it’s a modern collection that minimizes waste and makes an environmental statement through street style,” stated the brand in a release.