A new traceability and circularity programme has been launched that for the first time adheres to Responsible Down Standard (RDS) protocols.
Allied Feather + Down has launched RENU:TRACE, a recycled and traceable down insulation programme.
The background: Recycled down is becoming an increasingly important material for many outdoor, fashion, and bedding players.
- However, current recycled down offerings have one major flaw: they don’t necessarily comply with RDS protocol, meaning it’s impossible to know how ethically the birds in the supply chain are treated.
- The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) works by auditing every farm in the down supply chain for the ethical treatment of their geese and ducks.
- From there, a lot number follows each batch of down to the factory, final product, and the customer.
- Any down jackets currently using RDS down are candidates for the RENU:TRACE programme.
Targeting brands: ALLIED is looking for partner brands who are currently using down sourced through RDS to participate.
- Any brand participating in RENU:TRACE would benefit from the ability to market their products as traceable, recycled, and recyclable, with hangtags and instructions for shipping used product back to ALLIED.
- Participating brands would also have priority for sourcing RENU:TRACE material for their product lines.
