Trashy Apparel

Traditional outdoor and athletic apparel is made from virgin, non-renewable materials, contains questionable chemical treatments, and usually finds its ultimate home in a landfill. This Sports apparel is a huge industry worth billions and is dominated by a few giant brands.

A small company from Arlington, Virginia is gathering support across the United States. Which is probably due to their unique angle: its athletic clothing is made from trash. Atayne uses recycled polyester (from post-consumer plastic bottles) and recycled cotton. For odor control, fabrics are treated with naturally-derived chitosan.

Not many people realize that PET bottles and containers (#1 Plastics) are a form of polyester. That is why they can be recycled into a variety of different fabrics, including performance fabrics. The recycling technology has advanced greatly over the last few years, so polyester made from recycled plastic bottles is virtually identical in appearance and quality to non-recycled fabrics.

The concept for Atayne's product line was born when founder Jeremy Litchfield discovered that his traditional red running shirt contained petroleum, dioxins and other potentially harmful chemicals that might be absorbed by his body when he perspired. Back in May 2007, he went out for a run in a new red performance shirt on a hot and humid Washington DC morning. By the time he finished his run, the lower half of his body was covered in red dye. Adding insult to injury, his shorts, socks, and shoes were all stained in red dye. After doing some research he realized that current performance apparel is based on outdated technologies that pose harm to people and the planet. The next day he quit his job and started the company.

Which sparked the idea for a performance apparel company that would put people and the planet first, instead of solely focusing on convenience and aesthetics.
Not only does their approach mean less waste in landfills and less energy used manufacturing materials, it's also likely to attract enthused and loyal customers who'd rather sport one of their eco-proud slogans than a mega-brand's logo.