Culp, based in High Point, North Carolina, reports that since the introduction of its LiveSmart Evolve fabric range in 2019, it has helped divert over 63 million plastic bottles from waste streams by incorporating Repreve recycled fibre into its upholstery and mattress fabrics. 

LiveSmart Evolve is made with at least 30% Repreve, a high-quality polyester yarn made by Unifi from recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. 

Due to the pandemic and an increased consumer focus on the safety and comfort of the home, Culp has seen strong interest across its LiveSmart portfolio of performance fabric products, including Outdoor, Ultra, Barrier Plus and Evolve. 

The company has worked to strongly promote its LiveSmart Evolve line as a product that builds on the stain-resistance and cleanability of its performance fabrics offering environmentally-conscious consumers the ability to be a part of positive change to conserve natural resources.

“Culp is grateful to have such a strong relationship with Unifi, and the use of Repreve in our upholstery fabrics has been a phenomenal success,” said Tammy Buckner, senior vice-president of marketing and design for Culp Upholstery Fabrics. “At least 80 per cent of plastic flows into the oceans from land, totalling over eight million tons per year, but we’ve worked to turn this negative into a positive through our LiveSmart Evolve range. Demand for fabrics with a sustainability focus has been propelled during the pandemic.  It is no longer just words, but consumers are taking action to make sure their home purchases reflect their own commitment to bettering the environment. By incorporating Repreve yarn into our fabric, we are working to reduce the plastic problem before it enters our landfills, rivers and oceans.”

Culp also continues its focus on developing additional products designed for environmental sustainability, including mattress fabrics designed with certain recycled and biodegradable content. 

“Utilizing recycled material and design that is dedicated to creating durable and long-lasting products, Culp is committed to being a part of the circular economy that keeps our products and waste out of landfills,” added Buckner. 

Culp’s production facility in Quebec, Canada uses 99.8% hydro and wind power to provide clean renewable energy, and its production plant in Knoxville, Tennessee uses solar power for its operations.  The company also practices water conservation and re-use at its Stokesdale, North Carolina facility, and employs paper recycling programmes across all of its US and Canadian facilities. Additionally, in 2020, the company achieved landfill free status at all U.S. manufacturing facilities for its mattress fabrics division, and in 2021, joined the Sustainable Furnishings Council to help raise awareness and promote the adoption of environmentally sustainable practices in the home furnishings industry.

www.culp.com