Looptworks

Looptworks is a Portland, Oregon business that upcycles or re-purposes abandoned, pre-consumer and post-consumer materials into limited-edition products.[1][2] By re-using the world's pre-consumer excess, the U.S.-based company aims to "break the cycle of waste".[3][4] The products created by Looptworks primarily focus on bags, accessories and clothing.[2]

It is estimated that a single garment factory can create up to 60,000 pounds (27 metric tons) of textile waste, which normally goes to landfills.[5][6] Looptworks intends to use that waste to make new products.[6] "Our intent is to follow the waste stream. We as western society have gone over [to Asia] and asked a lot of people to do favors for us but haven’t considered what the implications are. We have to clean up our mess", according to Scott Hamlin, Looptworks's co-founder.[6] Looptworks intends to call attention to excess and waste, and encourage "thoughtful consumption."[6]

Looptworks's designs will change frequently, as sources of supply vary, making each design effectively a "limited edition",[1][2] which the company hopes adds to the attraction for some consumers.[1][6]

Looptworks will have a much quicker design cycle than most apparel makers with an estimated 9 weeks as opposed to 54 weeks.[6]

Looptworks has introduced "laptop sleeves" constructed from a wetsuit factory's scrap neoprene.[7]

According to Ariel Schwartz of Fast Company: "Looptworks isn't the first company to manufacture upcycled goods-but it is the first clothing line to exclusively use textile waste that would otherwise end up in the garbage."[2]