Repreve, the recycled PET polyester (rPET) fibre made by Unifi, of Greensboro, North Carolina, is now even more transparent, having received its Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI) scores.

The Higg MSI (version 3.2) is the most comprehensive tool for sustainability analysts, designers and product developers who want to make more informed materials choices. Its study confirms that US-manufactured Repreve reduces global warming potential by 21% compared to generic, mechanically-recycled polyester and 42% compared to conventional virgin polyester.

The Higg MSI global warming potential is related to greenhouse gases. Based on the score, Repreve is verified to have a lower carbon footprint than comparable materials. By using Repreve, organisations and consumers can greatly reduce their environmental impact compared to using generic rPET, one of the most commonly used plastics in the world. Additionally, Repreve is the only eco-performance fibe with U Trust verification to certify recycled content claims.

“We continue to build on our commitment to transparency by having the results of our Repreve life cycle assessment (LCA) verified and accepted into the Higg MSI,” said James Cooper, Unifi sustainability manager. “Repreve has a lower global warming potential than standard rPET, providing our customers with a verified pathway to lower their environmental impact and meet their sustainability goals.”

The Higg MSI scores are used to communicate credible data about a product’s performance and validate sustainability progress. These results serve as a public scorecard for sharing the profile and data of a product’s environmental impact, which provides designers and consumers alike with information to make sustainability-based purchasing decisions.

An LCA tool measures the environmental impacts over the whole life cycle of a product or service, including emissions and consumption of material resources. In addition, it provides a more accurate estimate of environmental trade-offs that allows organisations to use more reliable and transparent data to prioritise impact reduction in products and services. The Higg MSI scores are based on an LCA reviewed by the global, multi-stakeholder nonprofit alliance for the consumer goods industry, Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and its technology partner, Higg Co.

“These scores validate our belief that we are having a positive impact on the future through the growth of Repreve,” said Unifi CEO Eddie Ingle. “This assessment assures consumers and brands that by purchasing or using Repreve recycled fibres, they are making a more conscious and sustainable impact. To our shareholders, this transparency reinforces our commitment to Repreve and the growth potential it has with consumers and brands as they increase their focus on sustainable alternatives.”

www.Unifi.com