What recycled materials do we use, and why?

As part of Varner, Bik Bok’s emphasis is on increasing the percentage of recycled materials in its clothing production. The company’s aim is to ensure that 100% preferred fibres will be used for all production by 2025. Recycled fibres are one of preferred varieties.

Global Quality Assurance Manager Christiane Fagertun is at the forefront of Varner’s use of recycled materials. And Bik Bok aims to leave less of a carbon footprint by using recycled materials.

“It’s important that our use of recycled materials is approved through various certification procedures. We want these measures to be verifiable, not just something we claim,” says Christiane.

Why use recycled fibres?

Recycled polyester and polyamide are just two of a number of preferred fibres used by Bik Bok at present. The company’s aim is to increase the percentage, but the supply isn’t ideal due to high demand in recent years.

“There’s not much available in the market, and prices are high,” says Christiane. “That’s because demand hasn’t been high enough before, and production hasn’t been able to keep pace now that demand has increased. Of course, there’s more competition when there’s not much available, and this is something we’re doing our best to resolve. 

“That’s why we’ve signed a pledge to do our best to use more recycled polyester,” she continues. “And this goes for all Varner brands.”

Global agreement on the use of recycled polyester

In 2021, Textile Exchange – one of our partner organisations – launched a partnership with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.

“Varner and a number of other stakeholders in the textile industry have signed this pledge, to work together to increase the percentage of recycled polyester in textile production on a global level. Our target is 45%, up from 14%, and our commitment to this may mean we can make a change by increasing our own percentages as well,” states Christiane.

Recycled materials at Bik Bok

Bik Bok is currently using a fair bit of recycled polyester and nylon, as well as recycled materials, in some of its jewellery and recycled plastic in some of its sunglasses.

“Use of recycled materials in production has to be verified by means of various certification procedures. These certification procedures are an important component when it comes to proving that materials are produced in accordance with a standard quality-assured by a third party,” concludes Christiane.

Every Bik Bok product comes with product information to provide customers with a clear overview of the use of preferred fibres and recycled materials. This information can be viewed for each product at our online store.

Would you like to read more about how Varner works with clothing production, the environment and sustainability? In the Varner Sustainability Report 2022, the Varner Sustainability Report 2021 and the Varner Sustainability Report 2020 you will find everything you need to know and then some.

You can also send an email directly to [email protected] if there’s anything else you’d like to know about how we work with sustainability.