Marmot Upcycle: Once More with Feeling
by Warren McLaren, Sydney on 03.17.08
Marmot have long been an innovator in the outdoor market. They were one of the first to embrace Gore-tex waterproof/breathable fabric back in the mid 70’s, using it in sleeping bags, apparel and tents. Many years on, they are in the midst of embracing a new materials revolution. This time around its not just performance that gets a look in, but also the planet.
Marmot are using a raft of materials under their ‘Upcycle’ tag. They’ve a new line of daypacks and urban totes from a recycled polyester. Some of their sleeping bags (as we’ve noted before) crafted with 100% recycled polyester shell fabrics and a 80% post consumer recycled, hollow core, continuous filament insulation. Fast drying, odour controlling apparel using Cocona - activated charcoal from ‘waste’ coconut husks. Plus Marmot have even managed to score a coveted green award for an Upcycle garment.
Their Catalyst Windshirt (womens’s shown above) sports a bi-component wicking lining called DriClime. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester, while the shirts shell is 88% recycled polyester. The DWR (durable water repellent) treatment on the shell is said to have eco attributes, and we read that the zipper is also “completely recycled.” The combination of these materials and in-use testing has earnt the catalyst the Backpacker Editor's Choice Green Award.
Elsewhere in the line they have more casual pieces, like a womens shirt that blends 55% hemp with 37% Upcycle polyester and 8% organic cotton. ::Marmot
See also companies like Mountainsmith, Nau, Osprey, and Patagonia for similar product.
As an aside, one of the co-founders of Marmot, Eric Reynolds, was also the driving force behind the creation of Nau.
more good news from marmot.
however, there are some questions yet to be asked here that would be asked were these fibres not "upcycledd":
1. how safe are the fibres to those who wear them, wash them or are otherwise nearby (VOCs, toxic abrasion and whatnot)?
2. what's next for these fibres? how long is their expected lifespan before the obsolesce for any reason? how ready for reuse/defabrication/upcycling/recycling/whatever are they and what is marmot doing to reduce the probability of their simply being landfilled? holistically, would it be better to landfill them or recycle them - what are the numbers?
these questions, in short, are cradle to cradle ones.