Recycled plastics bra grace the catwalk

A recycled PET bra developed by Triumph and a wedding dress made from 80 soft drinks bottles were among a range of clothing modelled during a recycled plastics fashion show which marked the launch by The Association of Cities for Recycling (ACR) of a ‘Guide for recycling household packaging waste’ in Brussels on 4 June. More than 20 articles of clothing - from designers and manufacturers in Italy, France, Canada and Japan - including evening gowns, swimsuits and accessories were modelled on the catwalk.

Recycled plastics bra grace the catwalkThe Recycled plastics fashion show was part of an event which marked the launch and distribution of a local authority guide to the development of household packaging waste selective collection and treatment systems. This guide was published by the ACR and the World Resource Foundation (ERF) with the financial assistance of the European Commission. The event was organised by the Institut Bruxellois pour la Gestion de l’Environnement (IBGE) and ACR, and was co-sponsored by the Association of Plastics Manufacturers in Europe (APME), Association des Producteurs Européens d’Acier d’Emballage (APEAL), Fédération Eropéenne du Verre d’Emballage (FEVE) and the European Association of Corrugated Packaging Industry (PRO-BOX).

Commenting on the event, Freddy Maréchal, director of APME’s Technical and Environmental Centre, said: "A recycled plastics fashion show is a fun way to illustrate what can be achieved through plastics recycling when a market is identified and the specification of the waste match the needs of the applications yet with a serious message. The plastics industry is committed to reducing the amount of valuable resources lost to landfill and to promote increased plastics recovery and recycling in Europe. This goal is best achieved in partnership with a range of organisations, such as ACR and WRF - and that is why we welcome their new guide. By helping local authorities develop and improve household plastics packaging waste collection and sorting, the amount and quality of plastics recyclate will improve and potential end-markets - weather fashion or otherwise - will also grow."

About The Author:

Kathy Cole is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.bra-n-bras.com. A tasteful look at the bra industry, products and manufacturers.