New York, U.S.: Following the successful launch of circular products at Target, another milestone in textile-to-textile recycling has landed in the market: the Wrangler x Accelerating Circularity jeans, now available at Walmart. This launch showcases the viability of integrating mechanically recycled post-consumer and post-industrial cotton into mainstream apparel.
As part of Accelerating Circularity’s U.S.-based trials, 23 tons each of post-consumer and post-industrial cotton were successfully recycled, working with key supply chain partners to turn used textiles into new products. The Wrangler x Accelerating Circularity jeans contain 26% recycled cotton (50% post-consumer, 50% post-industrial), alongside virgin cotton and elastane for stretch, setting a new benchmark for post-consumer recycled content in commercially available denim.
This project was made possible through collaboration across the textile supply chain trial members, including collection by Bank & Vogue (post-consumer) and Martex (post-industrial); mechanical recycling by Giotex & Estopas; yarn production by Parkdale; and fabric production by Cone Denim.
Key innovations include:
- Cross-brand collaboration for standardized yarn and fabric specifications allowed trials to meet supply chain minimum order quantities (MOQs), proving commercial viability.
- Unprecedented level of post-consumer mechanically recycled cotton (in combination with post-industrial and virgin cotton) in a mainstream denim product.
- Proven durability: products passed commercial performance tests benchmarked against major brand standards.
“This launch is a proof point that circularity is not just a concept—it’s happening now,” said Karla Magruder, Founder of Accelerating Circularity. “Through collaboration across the supply chain, we’ve shown that used textiles can become a viable feedstock for new products at scale.”
With this release, Wrangler joins a growing list of brands bringing circular products to market through Accelerating Circularity’s trials. As the initiative moves forward, the focus remains on scaling impact, including the next major goal: recycling 325 tons of used textiles as part of Accelerating Circularity’s Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action.
