One of the region's best-known repurposing manufacturers said this week it plans to build a new Pacific Northwest manufacturing facility.
Looptworks, which crafts excess textile materials into upcycled and downcycled goods, as well as recycled fibers, said it will seek locations in Oregon and beyond, "prioritizing workforce talent, transportation logistics and local government support in its efforts to find a space."
The company upcycles such goods as airline seats and flight attendant uniforms, allowing the goods to be used for other items. It captured a PBJ Makers and Manufacturers Award last year in the sustainability category.
It has existing partnerships, to "provide zero-waste to landfill solutions," with such entities as the NBA, Nike, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Eddie Bauer, Walmart and Reformation.
The company said in an announcement it plans to select a facility this fall or winter and built it out in 2022.
Doing so would help it recapture 17 million-plus tons of textile material that ends up in landfills annually. Looptworks, which believes the sector could soar to the $125 billion mark, noted that the recycling rate for all textiles was less than 15% in 2018.
