Barco uniforms saves 16.8 million bottles from polluting environment
Barco Uniforms, a provider of premium healthcare apparel, reports that it has prevented 16.8 million plastic bottles from polluting the environment since incorporating plastic bottles into the cutting-edge fabric of the Barco One and Skechers by Barco scrub collections in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
Each Barco One garment incorporates 5 recycled plastic bottles in its fabric and the brand has recycled 7.5 million bottles, while each Skechers garment is made from seven recycled plastic bottles, resulting in 9.3 million recycled bottles to date. In addition to the sustainability factor, each scrub collection features moisture-wicking fabric with 4-way stretch that is designed to easily release soil.
“Barco One and Skechers collections are the first lines of medical scrubs to incorporate a sustainable element into their fabric, and we are eager to see an increase in the number of bottles that we incorporate into our fabric technology in the years to come,” said David Murphy, president and CEO of Barco Uniforms in the statement.
To create the sustainable fabric, Barco One says it relies on a RPET process. First, the bottles are cleaned and then shredded into pellets. From there, the pellets are crushed and melted, and the melted plastic is spun into thread which is woven with polyester. In addition to recycled bottles, the fabric in both Barco One and Skechers features 4-way spandex-stretch for comfort and modern design styling that is flattering on all body types.
“The last year has been marked by stories of marine animals washing up on shore with hundreds of tons of plastic pollution in their stomachs,” said Peggy Schulz, Vice President of Corporate Marketing of Barco Uniforms. “We’ve incorporated plastic bottles into our fabric with the hope of contributing to a cleaner world and a safer environment for marine life.”
Barco One added that it has gained popularity among veterinarians and pet groomers due to the fabrics’ antistatic properties, allowing animal hair to release quickly from the surface of the fabric. Barco’s Skechers line is designed for the modern, value-conscious healthcare professional who appreciates quality and style associated with highly respected brands.
