This week in the UK is national recycling week.
If you haven’t heard of it before, recycling week is when retailers, brands, waste management companies, trade associations, governments and the media all come together to encourage more recycling.
It’s now in its 18th year and WeatherBeeta are proud to be taking part this year.
Recycling week is about everyone making small changes to collectively make a big difference.
This year, recycling week runs from Monday 20th September to Sunday 26th September.
Why is recycling important?
Plastic packaging is an incredibly useful material that plays an important role in transporting and storing goods safely. However, the throw away culture around plastic has led to increasing levels of plastic waste in our natural environment. Plastic waste is one of the most pressing problems our planet faces. Plastic does not belong in our soil, lakes, rivers, or oceans.
It’s not just plastic that is causing an issue, the textiles industry has a negative impact on the environment due to the waste, consumption of raw materials, and production practices. Demand for raw materials is expected to triple by the year 2050. As the world faces the reality of catastrophic climate change, the need for urgent action is paramount. The fashion and textile industry needs to become more sustainable by taking steps such as re-using textiles and clothing.
Introducing WeatherBeeta Green-Tec
So what has WeatherBeeta done to help? Realising the growing plastic problem combined with an increased demand for raw materials, we developed the WeatherBeeta Green-Tec range. Every product in the Green-Tec range uses recycled plastics for the outer fabric and lining. Each turnout rug saves approximately 340 500ml plastic bottles and each dog coat saves approximately 19 500ml plastic bottles from going into a landfill or the ocean. Globally, WeatherBeeta have saved a staggering 3,256,791 plastic bottles from the ocean since launching the Green-Tec range. This number continues to grow with every Green-Tec produced!
How do plastic bottles become fabric? The process is simpler than you might think. Plastic bottles that are recycled are crushed and shredded. Once the plastic bottles are in this state they can be spun and processed into a polyester fibre yarn. This yarn is then used to make the fabric than becomes the Green-Tec product. Not only does this save plastic bottles from oceans or landfill, this process of recycling bottles also uses 50% less energy to produce than a traditional turnout rug.
What’s in the Green-Tec range?
The WeatherBeeta Green-Tec range features 5 turnout rugs in varying weights from 50g to 360g so your horse will be protected whatever the weather. New for winter 2021, 2 stable rugs with a cosy 150g filling available in either a combo or a standard neck. And something for your other 4 legged friends too, choose from 2 dog coats with 50g or 220g of warm filling.
Do Green-Tec turnout rugs have the same features as other WeatherBeeta rugs?
Yes, all Green-Tec turnout rugs are made to the same standard in quality as the rest of the WeatherBeeta rug range so you can trust them to keep your horse well protected. The outer is made from recycled plastic bottles for a durable 900 denier fabric, which is waterproof and breathable. Traditional side gussets allow the horse to move freely in a natural movement. Quick-clip front closures offer maximum adjustability and are great for cold hands in winter. Complete with a large tail flap for protection from the weather; twin cross surcingles; and adjustable leg straps.
Recycling week 2021 runs from Monday 20th September until Sunday 26th September. All this week WeatherBeeta are running two competitions to win a WeatherBeeta Green-Tec Detach-A-Neck Lite Plus and a WeatherBeeta Green-Tec Dog Coat. To enter, you need to answer a question about how many 500ml bottles are approximately used to create a Green-Tec Rug or Dog Coat (Hint: the answer is in this blog!) Find out more on how to enter below: