Royal Robbins introduced Royal’s Rewear Program, a new recycling program that takes a stance against sending used clothing to landfills.
The program encourages consumers to buy high quality, durable clothing made to last while recycling old product. Since its inception in July, the company’s Berkeley, CA store has collected 76 cubic feet of clothing. There are currently two Royal’s Rewear Program bins, in Berkeley and Modesto, CA, with plans of adding up to 25 more in 2017.
Americans are trashing more clothes than ever, throwing away 13 million tons of clothing, or roughly 85 percent of their clothes, each year. This accounts for about 9 percent of total non-recycled waste, according to a study by PBS.
“We are so happy our customers share our enthusiasm for this program and for environmental safekeeping,” said Tina Jayan, manager of Royal Robbins’ Berkeley store. “Berkeley customers share a deep-rooted love for the environment with Royal Robbins’ founders Royal and Liz Robbins. Thanks to this program, they are looking more carefully at their footprint as consumers.”
Liz and Royal Robbins built the company in 1968 with environmental safekeeping in mind. Recently, Royal Robbins became a Bluesign partner, subscribing to manufacturing practices that ensure the safekeeping of natural resources and ecological surroundings.
“Environmental safekeeping is the core foundation of our brand’s heritage,” said Michael Millenacker, CEO of Royal Robbins. “We are devoted to continuing and expanding on Royal and Liz’s original vision. Royal’s Rewear Program is a tribute to our heritage with a simple ethos: recycle more and buy clothing that is built to last.”
The recycling initiative allows customers and employees reduce the volume of waste being sent to landfills every year by sending items back or dropping them in collection bins at Royal Robbins stores. All apparel brands will be eligible for recycling through the Rewear Program.
Any re-wearable Royal Robbins apparel sent back will be re-sold at retail stores in the Royal’s Rewear department. All other apparel received will be reused and recycled by partner I:CO, a solutions provider for clothing and shoes reuse and recycling with offices in Germany, the U.K, the U.S. and Japan. The recycled material will be turned into new clothing, padding and insulation.
Participants in the Rewear Program will receive an incentive coupon towards a future Royal Robbins purchase. All program proceeds benefit the Yosemite Conservancy, a non-profit that funds projects and programs essential to the preservation of Yosemite, the birthplace of the Royal Robbins brand. The Royal Robbins Factory Store is located at 841 Gilman Street in Berkeley, CA.
