Reject plastic waste and make your life look new.

With plastic production hitting a record high, nearly half of which are only intended to be used once, reusing our recyclables is more important than ever. Did you know that most plastics can only be recycled a few times before they can no longer be reused? Then go to the landfill. Reusing our garbage as a multi-purpose treasure provides a valuable solution to our current limited recycling system. Converting existing plastic waste into more practical items, such as clothes made of recycled materials, is still an effective way to reduce the environmental impact of disposable plastics.

Some plastics can be converted into building materials or fuel sources. The ways of recycling are almost limitless, but the United States simply does not have the facilities needed to process all types of synthetic polymer waste. This important expansion, called "advanced recycling", has the potential to significantly expand the market for waste plastics.

Although plastic is a necessity, it paved the way for breakthroughs in life-saving medical supplies and revolutionary inventions such as plexiglass and Kevlar, but new methods of plastic production and recycling need to become industry standards. The proper removal and thorough reuse of petroleum-based plastics should be the top priority to prevent further global pollution. Increasing the combination of traditional recycling and advanced recycling can open the door to the recycling of all plastic waste.

When recycling is not limited to the direct copy of the same product (for example, a can is melted and remade into a new can), the possibility of recycling can be significantly expanded. It can also help us get the most benefit from materials that are not infinitely recyclable, and make them as useful as possible before reaching the end of their recycling life.

A good place to start the recycling process is to face the biggest source of plastic pollution, polyethylene terephthalate or PET, which is commonly used for single-use plastics. Fortunately, PET can be easily upgraded to durable fabric. Companies like Huk are doing the heavy lifting for us, launching the Waypoint collection, which is a clothing collection made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

But how do we go from a water bottle to a complete costume? Well, this is a process, and it takes several weeks to make the final product after receiving the material. At the REPREVE recycling center in North Carolina, the combination of recycled polyester and plastic is broken down, reprocessed, and pulse-dried to create small plastic pebbles called "fragments." The fragments are then melted into a molten mixture, then filtered and pushed through small holes to form fine fibers, about 5 times thinner than the width of a human hair.

These strands are tied together and collide with the air to entangle the filaments. The resulting yarn is then wound, but it is not yet fully completed. At this point, a shirt made of this material feels like wearing a knitted floss sweater. Multi-purpose, possible, but may not be so wearable.

To soften the thread, the machine pulls the yarn through heated rubber rollers, stretching and rearranging the molecules. With more equipment twisting and rewinding the harness, it is now more like wool than orthodontic products. From here, the yarn can be dyed and spun into sustainable clothing.

Since 2017, the demand for clothing made of recycled plastics has grown at a rate of about five times the previous rate. This means that there are a considerable number of products available on the market, but not all products are created equal. Especially in the affordability sector, many brands have triple-digit price points. Huk Waypoint Collection seems to meet all the requirements of ordinary outdoor sportsmen, but it is still in a comfortable price range. The price of the shirt is US$50 and the price of the hoodie is only US$5. Each item is composed of nine plastic bottles, woven into a multifunctional material with moisture wicking and adaptive heating and cooling functions. Surprisingly soft and incredibly lightweight, this series is comfortable to wear even in hot weather.

Small functions and attention to detail are the factors that make the brand one of the best in outdoor activities. For those of us who use them on water, this fabric dries quickly and has hydrophobic properties that can take water and sweat away from the skin. Elastic bands on the tops' wrists allow the wearer to roll up the sleeves and keep them in place, while making cuff lengthening a thing of the past. Each product in the series also supports a 50 UPF sun protection rating and fabric protection to prevent you from encountering stains outdoors.

Athletes cannot enjoy all the fun alone; the series also provides options for female athletes. If self-cultivation sunscreen and soft pastels are your favorites, then the Women's Waypoint series is a good place to start your recycling journey.

Waypoint Collection is the highest-rated and reasonably priced high-performance clothing based on recycling on the market, attracting great attention from athletes who want to reduce their footprint without compromising functionality. The Waypoint series is likely to become one of the best-selling clothing gifts this holiday season, especially for outdoor families that pay attention to sustainability.

Strive to live in a sustainable way and support companies that reflect your goals. Buy clothing made from recycled plastic. Avoid single-use plastics, but if you must, buy bioplastics made from natural compounds. Learn what items you can recycle and how to dispose of each item properly. Use reusable bags and bottles. Don't pack your fruits and vegetables (hope you will wash them anyway). Purchase copies of digital movies and choose paperless billing. Participate in ocean and beach cleanup. Skip the straw. Spread awareness.

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