Ralph Lauren launches polo shirt made entirely from recycled plastic bottles

Ralph Lauren on Thursday launched a version of its iconic Polo shirt that is crafted completely from recycled plastic bottles and dyed in a process that uses zero water. 

In a press release announcing the move, the company said that the new shirt, dubbed the Earth Polo, was created in partnership with First Mile, an organization that works with entrepreneurs in low-income communities to collect recycled plastic bottles that are eventually turned into high quality yarn and fabric. 

{mosads}“When Ralph founded our company more than 50 years ago, he did so with the idea that whatever we create is meant to be worn, loved, and passed on for generations,” Halide Alagoz, who serves as Ralph Lauren’s executive vice president and chief supply chain and sustainability officer, said in a statement.

“It’s with this spirit of timelessness that we approach sustainability,” Alagoz continued.

“Ralph Lauren will commit to removing at least 170 million bottles from landfills and oceans, and will convert the use of all virgin poly-fiber to recycled poly-fiber by 2025,” said David Lauren, the company’s chief innovation officer.

“Plastic waste is a major issue threatening the environment — we want to be part of the solution and utilize an innovative approach to create something valuable,” Lauren added.

The move comes as a number of clothing companies adopt approaches to sustainability, including Adidas, which plans to use only recycled plastic in its products by 2024.  

Ralph Lauren said each Earth Polo is made from roughly of 12 plastic bottles. The company said the new shirt will be available in sizes for both men and women in global retail stores and on its website on April 18.

The shirt will also come in four colors: Stuart Green, White, Navy and Baby Blue.