Arcade, the belt manufacturer, announced that all of its belts will now be made from REPREVE®, a post-consumer, certified recycled yarn. The transition to Repreve throughout the entire Arcade belt product range will result in a lower footprint without sacrificing comfort, durability, or functionality.

Kevin Walker, marketing director at Arcade, said that throughout their journey to develop and manufacture simple, brilliant belts, they have continuously retained their emphasis on doing everything they can as a team and as a brand to reduce their impact on the environment. They collaborated with Repreve to ensure that their high-quality, performance materials utilized in all of their belt webbing fulfilled their standards. They’re very delighted to be switching all of their belts to Repreve-certified recycled polyester, which is the highest standard in both sourcing and manufacture and is fully traceable.

Arcade belt webbing is now made of 8% Repreve recycled polyester and 15% natural rubber, giving Arcade belts its distinctive performance stretch and comfort. Arcade buckles are constructed of virgin POM or nylon, both of which are 100% recyclable. While recycled elastics and plastics are available, Arcade discovered via lab and in-field testing that these alternatives are not as robust and do not meet the company’s standards for product longevity and quality. Arcade employs these materials for their buckles and the performance stretch component of their belts because, in the end, making things that last longer is a more sustainable answer.

Walker added that Arcade belts retain their regulated performance stretch and durable structure even after years of intensive daily use. Choosing the proper partners and quality materials from the start is an important aspect of being more sustainable. The use of recycled yarn in all Arcade belts adds to their ongoing efforts to tread lighter.