On the picturesque Tunisian beaches, two men clad in vibrant overalls can often be spotted collecting plastic waste. Unknown to many, these scraps of discarded plastic will embark on a transformative journey to become the fabric of an elegant dress crafted by the sustainable fashion label, Outa.
This intriguing metamorphosis is part of the Kerkennah Plastic Free initiative, endorsed by the European Union. Through this program, about 15 local waste collectors are making significant efforts to clear the 7,000 tonnes of plastic debris that annually mars the beauty of the beaches on the Kerkennah Islands, located just 20km from the port city of Sfax.
Jean-Paul Pellissier, who spearheads the initiative funded by the EU, paints a vivid picture of the archipelago’s rich ecosystem that boasts migratory bird routes and is home to the Posidonia oceanica seagrass. Yet, a recurring blight in this serene landscape is the plastic refuse that the marine currents usher from Europe.
The collected waste embarks on its transformative journey when collectors hand it over to sorters. From there, it is compressed and eventually crushed. The sustainability drive receives a significant boost from a collaboration with the Seaqual Initiative, an international consortium committed to converting marine plastic into usable products.
Omar Kcharem, of Kerkennah Plast, underlines the importance of this partnership. Without such associations, marine plastic, degraded by prolonged exposure to saltwater and sun, would have little to no commercial value. Post-processing, the recovered plastic granules travel to Portugal, where they are ingeniously converted into the Seaqual Yarn nylon fibre.
Pellissier emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of this technology. Only half a decade ago, recycling marine plastic was deemed an impossibility due to its degraded quality. And while the current Seaqual Yarn blend incorporates roughly 10% of recycled marine plastic, ambitious plans are afoot to augment this percentage.
From the Portuguese leg of the journey, the narrative shifts back to Tunisia, where the magic unfolds. The state-of-the-art Sitex plant in Ksar Hellal masterfully weaves the Seaqual Yarn into denim fabric. With a legacy of supplying global brands like Hugo Boss and Zara, Sitex has now partnered with Anis Montacer of Outa. Their shared vision of sustainable fashion has been manifested in denim tailored exclusively in Tunisia, despite production costs being 20% steeper due to the inclusion of marine plastic.
Elevating this sustainable endeavor, Montacer enlisted the talents of French designer Maud Beneteau. The resultant haute couture line made a remarkable debut at the Tunis Fashion Week. Beneteau confesses that while working with the unique fabric presented challenges, the broader vision of eco-responsibility and job creation associated with the project made it all worthwhile. This initiative stands as a testament to the possibilities of transforming waste into wonder, blending commerce with conservation.
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