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6 Reasons to Try Microfiber Made from Recycled Plastic


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6 Reasons to Try Microfiber Made from Recycled Plastic

Mopping Up the Problem of Plastic

From shoes to travel bags, skateboards to sunglasses, all kinds of useful things are now being created from recycled plastic. And that’s good, especially considering how big the problem of plastic pollution is. But exactly what kind of plastic is used to create these products? And how much good does it really do to purchase them?

What Kind of Plastic Is That?

According to RecycleYourPlastics.org, specific types of plastic are used to create certain kinds of items. For example:

Playgrounds

Plastic wraps and bags are used to create playground equipment, park benches, decking and fencing—even new plastic bags. But if you still use plastic bags to carry items home from the store, you should know that curbside recycling programs are not the best way to recycle them. Instead, many retailers are now offering to recycle these bags, so they don’t end up in the landfill. Still, your best bet is to bring your own reusable bag and avoid plastic altogether.

Plastic Lumber

Milk jugs, laundry detergent and shampoo bottles are made of a strong and lightweight plastic known as HDPE, or #2-coded plastic. These kinds of containers can be recycled into plastic lumber, picnic tables, playground equipment, recycling bins and new bottles and containers. This type of plastic is one of the two most recycled plastics and is easily handled by most curbside programs.

Plastic beverage bottles are made from a thinner type of plastic known as PET, or #1-coded plastic, and are also easily recycled. These types of bottles are turned into carpeting; fabric for t-shirts, sweaters and fleece jackets; insulating material for jackets and sleeping bags; more bottles…

…and now microfiber!

A New Spin on Microfiber

Recycle Plastics

You heard it here first! Plastic beverage bottles are now also being recycled into microfiber! And one company near and dear to us all is the very first to use this new spin on microfiber to help clean up the world while also reducing chemicals and creating safer havens across the world. Norwex is now incorporating recycled PET plastic materials into its microfiber product line, offering brand-new products to help solve a decades-old problem—plastic pollution.

What makes this cutting-edge microfiber so appealing?

  1. It’s a more sustainable option. Customers can now choose reusable, washable microfiber napkins made using recycled plastic over single-use paper towels or cloth napkins made from virgin materials.
  2. It’s Earth-friendly—each Norwex Napkin is made from 50% recycled materials, and each set of four contains the equivalent of five 500 ml recycled plastic bottles.
  3. People can now help clean up the world as they reduce chemicals on their floors, where children and pets play. Each extremely durable Wet Mop Pad is made from 70% recycled materials, thus keeping the equivalent of 2.3 500 ml bottles out of the landfill. And because these pads are used with only water—no harsh cleaning chemicals required—families stay safer as chemicals are eliminated.
  4. An antibacterial agent is woven into each of the new microfiber products—and each also comes with the company’s standard two-year microfiber warranty.
  5. The Wet Mop Pad also has the proven ability to remove up to 99% of bacteria from a surface with only water when following the proper care and use instructions.
  6. Best of all, proceeds from the sale of the new wet mop pad benefit The Washed Ashore Project, a nonprofit partner of the Norwex Foundation for A Brighter Future.

Bottom line? This is one of the most exciting things to happen to microfiber in quite some time—if I do say so myself.

Did You

  • Currently only around 27% of plastic bottles are recycled.
  • 5 trillion plastic bags are used every year, and fewer than 1% are recycled.
  • Always rinse plastic before recycling it to keep mold, insects and scavenging animals away.
  • Over 51,000 trees are cut down daily to support North America’s paper towel habit.
comment_2Have you used products made from recycled plastic? We’d love to hear about your experience, thoughts or feelings. Just leave us a comment below.

Resources:

Would you be willing to try microfiber made from recycled materials?

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Yes:
 
99%
No:
 
1%
Total Votes:
476
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Heather Wiese
Heather Wiese
6 years ago

It’s nice to see Norwex stepping forward with two new offerings of recycled materials in their product line! I’m looking forward to checking out the Superior Mop Pad and the Table Nakpkins which are made from recycled materials.

Sharon Campese
Sharon Campese
6 years ago

I’ve always made my own fabric napkins. Looking forward to trying the Norwex microfibre napkins! I usually use my kitchen cloths with the grandsons 🙂

Amy Hepfner
Amy Hepfner
6 years ago

I love the question above…in actuality I can’t wait to try the new mop pad!! I am so very proud that I am associated with this company!! Thank you so much for going beyond our wildest dreams for the future!!

Karen Codrington
Karen Codrington
6 years ago

I LOVE this innovation! Really looking forward to the Table Napkins – this is one area that I do still buy/use paper ones…

Jennifer Rottman
Jennifer Rottman
6 years ago

It still find it amazing how little is actually recycled. I am glad I have joined Norwex and I am committing help spread the word.

Gingi Freeman
Gingi Freeman
6 years ago

How neat!! Would love to try some recycled plastic microfiber!!

Ainsley Shea
Ainsley Shea
3 years ago

I love my Norwex Microfibre Napkins! I use them for parties and events at my home and people always compliment their lovely patterns and colours! I have also saved $$ reducing the amount of paper towels used since I’ve switched to Norwex Kitchen Towels and Napkins!

Zoe Vallabha
Zoe Vallabha
3 years ago

Would it be possible to post an update to this topic? I am curious why more, or all, Norwex microfiber is not yet made with recycled plastic… are we moving in that direction? Using virgin materials to spin yarn for microfiber seems like a bad environmental footprint. A specific question I have is: How do I purchase an EnviroCloth made from recycled plastic? On the website, it’s not clear. It says that “Champagne and rose quartz color options are each made from 70% recycled materials” – but these color options don’t seem to be available. The description of the existing color options does not mention anything about being made of recycled material. I would love to see the recycled logo on all Norwex microfiber products! At least 50%, if not 70-80%.

Zoe Vallabha
Zoe Vallabha
3 years ago

I have called into Norwex Customer Support twice, now, to ask about recycled microfiber products. I really want to support, buy and promote Norwex microfiber products made from recycled plastic (at least 50%). I am getting confusing information. According to the first representative, none of the products included in the Starter Kit (containing the most popular items like EnviroCloth, Window Cloth, Dust Mit, Mop Starter System, Body & Face Pack) are made from recycled plastic. (Only the Textured Kitchen Cloth & Towel, in amethyst color is.) The second representative said that every Norwex microfiber product that contains BacLock is made from a certain percentage of recycled plastic. Is this true? If it is true, why is it not stated on the website under product descriptions? On the host and consultant brochures, why is there so little (almost zero) mention of recycled microfiber products, given that it’s so important for the environment and the Norwex mission? I am confused… I want to buy and help promote only recycled plastic microfiber products by Norwex, if at all possible.

Moderator
Admin
Moderator
3 years ago
Reply to  Zoe Vallabha

Zoe, thank you for your comments. You’re right: this blog does need a bit of updating, as do some of our marketing materials. For one thing our champagne and rose quartz EnviroCloths have been replaced with new colors of our amazing flagship product: teal, plum and graphite with amethyst trim, all made from 70% recycled microfiber yarn. Please note that not all microfiber products containing BacLock contain recycled microfiber yarn. We apologize for the misinformation you received and have made our support team aware.

To purchase Norwex Microfiber made from recycled microfiber yarn, you could reach out to your local Norwex Consultant to make a purchase, or visit
https://shopus.norwex.biz/en_US/customer/shop/cleaning_microfiber and select either the teal, plum and/or graphite with amethyst trim color options. We’re happy to let you know that our plans do include offering even more products made from more-sustainable resources going forward.

Zoe Vallabha
Zoe Vallabha
3 years ago
Reply to  Moderator

Hello, many thanks for your reply. I’m very glad to hear that Norwex’s future plans include increasing the number of products made from recycled plastic, and using more sustainable resources. On the website, when I look up the EnviroCloth and select teal, plum, or graphite with amethyst trim, there is no mention of these colors being made of recycled plastic. I would think it should be a high priority to make that update to the website to promote those color choices as the preferred, more environmentally sustainble option. Similarly, I’m unclear why Norwex is not opting to provide these recycled microfiber products on the Host Rewards offers and Consultant Starter Kit. For the February host rewards, the EnviroCloth being offered is amethyst with steel grey trim. If I understand correctly, this color option is not one of the ones made with recycled materials. Similarly, although recycled mop pads are available, there is no mention of “recycled” on the mop components for the February Host rewards product listing. This has honestly deterred me from hosting a party / info session, as… Read more »

Moderator
Admin
Moderator
3 years ago
Reply to  Zoe Vallabha

Dear Zoe, thank you for your comments and questions. We are working toward ensuring that more products containing recycled microfiber yarn will be offered in our Host Rewards and Starter Kits as well as updating and refreshing our printed and online content so that only the most up-to-date, accurate information is published. Also, thank you for your suggestion of customizable Starter Kits; we will take that under consideration. Of the products you mention below, the following contain recycled microfiber yarn:
EnviroCloth (teal, plum, graphite with amethyst trim)
Mop Pads (both the Dry Superior and Wet Mop Pads, all colors)

Currently neither the Window Cloth, the Dusting Mitt nor the Body and Face Pack contain recycled microfiber yarn.

For further questions related to our products, in the U.S., please contact 1-866-450-7499. In Canada, please contact 1-877-766-7939. In Australia, the number to call for product inquiries/clarification is: 07 3204 9444.