Thread doesn't get much attention. It's a small part of a cap, but when you stitch every day it adds up. So our embroidery runs on recycled thread.
What thread do we use?
We use Madeira Polyneon Green, a polyester embroidery thread from one of the best-known thread makers in the business. Madeira makes it from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles, and it's certified to the Global Recycled Standard from the bottle to the yarn.
How does a bottle become thread?
- Used bottles are collected and shredded into flakes.
- The flakes are turned into chips, then melted.
- The melted plastic is drawn out into fine fibres and spun into thread.
- The thread is dyed, wound onto cones and sent to embroiderers like us.
Does it stitch as well?
That was our first question too. It runs on our machines just like standard polyester and the colours stay bright, so customers get the same stitching and the planet gets a small win. It also carries OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which means it's tested for harmful substances.
It's one part of a bigger picture
Recycled thread won't save the world on its own. It sits beside the other things we do: making to order so less goes to waste, planting a tree with every order on Pinkswag, Capenza and Sew Inappropriate, and funding carbon removal through Ecologi.
We're not perfect, but we'd rather keep making small, honest improvements than make big claims.
