100% RECYCLED PLASTIC

Our fabrics are made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles (otherwise known as recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or rPET).

Over 300 million tonnes of virgin plastic is manufactured annually worldwide. The extraction of crude oil and gas — the raw materials of plastic — is a dirty business, fraught with environmental issues. By using fabric made from recycled plastic, we give new purpose to a material that is not biodegradable and otherwise destined for landfill (or the ocean). The production of rPET also requires less water, less energy and emits fewer carbon emissions when compared to virgin polyester.

We have two fabric suppliers: one for the main fabric, and one for mesh. Both are certified by the Global Recycle Standard (GRS), an internationally respected standard which verifies the recycled content of our fabric. To fulfil the requirements of the GRS certification, our fabric suppliers must also meet responsible social, environmental and chemical practices in their production.

Recycling is not a silver bullet for the plastic pollution crisis, but it is one solution we can utilise. By repurposing the plastic already in existence, we ensure no new fossil fuels are extracted (and reduce our dependence on them as a raw material).

PFC-FREE

Our fabric has a waterproof rating of 15,000mm (can handle heavy rain) and breathability rating of 15,000g (appropriate for a sweaty hike). Outerwear seams are sealed with waterproof taping to keep the wearer dry in a downpour.

All Ponch products are PFC-free. Our durable water repellent (DWR) coating has a PFC rating of C0.

Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are often applied to fabrics for water repellency, despite being environmentally hazardous and toxic to both humans and animals. PFCs do not readily break down, and have been detected in the farthest reaches of the world. Research from Greenpeace discovered PFCs in “the livers of polar bears in the Arctic”.

PACKAGING

There are zero single-use plastics used in our packaging.

Our swingtags are compostable. They are made from 100% recycled FSC-certified paper and printed with soya-based inks. The seals are made from cornstarch (EN 13432 certified). The cord is cotton.

Our garment bags — and labels — are 100% biodegradable and compostable (‘OK biobased’ and EN 13432 certified). Our garment bags are made from vegetable starch sourced from an annually renewable crop.

We opt for minimal packaging — your order will arrive free of superfluous paper and wrapping. All orders are shipped in biodegradable paper mail bags.

IMPROVEMENTS

We are constantly reviewing our processes to be a more innovative, ethical and sustainable business.

We welcome your feedback and ideas. Please get in touch via our Contact form.