CIRCULAR PROCESS
From Waste to Fashion
Only 9% of the plastic produced worldwide is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills and oceans severely harming marine life and endangering our ecosystems. If nothing changes there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.
As designers we are the bridge between production and consumption and we are responsible for the products we put out there.
This is why we apply the circular fashion model collaborating with certified suppliers and sourcing materials which can be recycled again and again. Our ultimate goal is to minimize the use of new resources, to avoid adding more waste and to close the loop of our process.
waste rescue
Origin of our Raw Materials
Lost and dumped fishing nets are the biggest plastic polluters in our oceans making up 10% of this waste. Each year they kill and injure millions of turtles, whales, dolphins and too many other animals.
We are proud to collaborate with HEALTHY SEAS, a non profit organization and their volunteer divers who are cleaning up the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Northern Seas from this marine litter allowing this huge amount of nylon waste to be transformed from fishing nets into something useful.
Discover more about Healthy SeasInnovative recycling
Regeneration Process
The recovered fishing nets as well as other post consumer nylon waste (such as plastic components and old carpets) are cleaned, shredded, compacted and transported to the regeneration plant of AQUAFIL in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
AQUAFIL is a pioneer Italian company providing 100% sustainable materials for the textile industry. Through a sophisticated purification process, the nylon waste is recycled right back into its original purity.
Certificate OEKO-TEX® Standard
Certificate 100% recycled fibers
Certificate GRS - Global Recycled Standard Aquafil
Infinitely recyclable
Transformation into ECONYL® Yarn
The ECONYL® Regeneration System is a unique process allowing brands like us to use recycled nylon waste material instead of depleting new resources from oil-based polluting nylon and to reduce our global warming impact of producing nylon by up to 90%.
This regenerated fiber is exactly the same as virgin nylon and has the potential to be recycled infinitely without ever losing its quality. It is a perfect circular material to create new products again and again!
Certified weaving factory
Premium Italian Fabrics
The nylon yarns are processed into textile yarns and weaved into premium fabrics at our certified supplier in Italy. They make sure that neither toxic nor harmful substances are used during the dyeing and finishing process to avoid water pollution.
The factory has obtained the following certificates:
4sustainability Chemical Management Protocol Global Recycled Standard Certificate ZDHC – Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals REACH Compliant
High end production plant
Made in Italy
Our bags are crafted by local skilled workers in San Mauro Pascoli in the province of Emilia-Romagna in Italy where many of the most luxurious french and italian fashion brands are being produced alongside ours.
The employees are covered by the standard EU legislations & the International Labour Org (ILO) concerning Fair Wages and Social Security Standards to ensure their safety and health, written working contracts and no discrimination treatment.
Closing the loop
We Recycle Your End-Of-Life Bag
Repurposing post-consumer goods is one efficient way to commit to the circular fashion model. Thanks to the regenerative nylon we use, every ACE bag comes with a promise of recycling through our "Take Back program".
Customers can return their end-of-life bags to us and the material will be recycled and redesigned into new products. The loop is closed!
How to return your bagOUR CONTRIBUTION TO A BETTEr FUTURE
We give back to the Planet
We are a proud member of the 1% For The Planet Organization.
Through this program, we donate 1% of our sales to the Healthy Seas Foundation to contribute to their ocean cleaning up and educational activities.
About 1% for the PlanetMEETING THE SDG's
Tackling changes for people and the planet
We are working hard to align our business model and processes with the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Our main engagement and efforts are focussing on:
Goal nº12: Responsible Consumption and Production - by embracing the circular fashion model
Goal nº14: Life Below Water - by collaborating with Healthy Seas
Goal nº6: Clean Water and Sanitation - by avoiding chemicals and toxic substances in ou products
Goal nº7: Affordable and Clean Energy - by reducing our climate impact sourcing non-oil based nylon
Goal nº8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - by ensuring workers legal contracts and safety conditions