How can we recycle used PET bottles?

From old bottles to high-quality cycling clothing by Acelera. Recycling old PET bottles is an important part of the production process for our cycling clothing. Below, we explain in 6 steps how we transform an old bottle into top-quality cycling clothing.

1. Recycling old PET bottles

The first step in producing our cycling clothing is recycling old PET bottles. By reusing waste materials, we avoid using new natural resources such as crude oil.

2. Shredding and cleaning

Before we turn old bottles into new apparel, we shred them into small pieces. These pieces are then thoroughly cleaned, so only pure material remains.

3. Producing granules

Once the pieces are fully cleaned, they are melted down into polyester pellets. These pellets now consist of pure polyester and are therefore just as strong as polyester made from crude oil.

4. Spinning yarns

From this point on, the process is the same as for producing "regular" cycling clothing. The polyester granules are spun into strong yarns. These yarns form the foundation of our apparel.

5. Weaving fabrics

The recycled yarn can now be used to weave fabrics. Our apparel consists of 98% recycled polyester and 2% elastane. That two percent ensures the fabric stays flexible and stretchy, which extends the lifespan of our products.

6. Production

We cut panels from large sheets of fabric, which are then sewn by hand. By keeping production close to home, we also reduce transport emissions.