SanMar, Issaquah, Wash., introduced the District Re-Tee made from 100 percent recycled fabric. This new, affordable T-shirt is never re-dyed and is made from reclaimed material that may have otherwise ended up in a landfill. SanMar has taken what was previously considered waste and repurposed those resources to create something new.
The District Re-Tee is composed of 60 percent recycled cotton scraps and 40 percent recycled polyester known as rPET, which is derived from used items like plastic bottles. Each T-shirt’s color comes from its original, stringently-sorted cotton scraps, and is blended with recycled polyester yarn, so it never has to be re-dyed. This process makes for a soft, comfortable and high-quality T-shirt.
“They are never re-dyed, and that is what’s really special,” said Kara Johnson, senior merchandiser for SanMar. “This is such a significant step in changing how we think about our resources. This tee is impactful because it is sustainable and responsible. It’s a T-shirt that you can feel good about in so many ways. It can easily become your favorite, guilt-free, live-in tee.”
By eliminating the water-intensive dyeing process and the need to produce new raw materials, SanMar can save the equivalent of skipping six weeks of showers or taking 5.87 miles off of someone’s daily commute.
“You can feel better about this purchase,” Johnson added. “We did our homework and can stand behind it. We’re proud to continue looking at new ways to make apparel that is in line with our sustainability goals.”
The District Re-Tee and District Women’s Re-Tee V-Neck come in eight colors, including black, ruby red, maize yellow and five heathers. They have a tag-free label and range from XS to 4XL in both styles.
Doing good things for the planet should feel as good on the outside as it does on the inside, which is why SanMar isn’t stopping at the District Re-Tee. There are plans for additional fully-recycled clothing as the company continues to innovate apparel in the most ethical way possible.
For more information on SanMar, visit www.sanmar.com.
