SANTA ANA, Calif. — AFTCO is committed to reducing the environmental impact on the oceans, rivers, lakes, and land that support our fisheries. From a business perspective, AFTCO is focused on transitioning apparel to recycled materials, updating product packaging, striving to eliminate single-use plastics, and finding ways to contribute to the long-term health of our fisheries.
The push into recycled and sustainable manufacturing launches in 2022 with 30% of new AFTCO sportswear offerings featuring recycled materials and fabrics like ECONYL® regenerated nylon. Beginning in spring of 2022, many performance fishing shirts like the Samurai Sun Protection Hoodie and Yurei Air-O Mesh® Hoodie will transition to recycled fabrics. Ultimately, the goal is to have over 90% of the polyester used in AFTCO sportswear apparel to be made from recycled alternatives and will continue to explore sustainable options.
AFTCO’s sustainability goals go beyond fabrics and manufacturing, encompassing all aspects of the business. The installation of solar panels has rendered AFTCO HQ nearly energy self-sufficient. Their catalogs utilize recycled stock, and paper consumption has decreased. We also work closely with communities to clean up our lakes, rivers, and some of the most populated beaches along the coast through our Bank Bag Trash Clean Up activations.
Finally, at ICAST 2021, AFTCO is proud to introduce Rescue, an all-new collection of technical fishing clothing featuring ECONYL® regenerated nylon. ECONYL® regenerated nylon is made from new and recycled nylon 6 waste such as fabric scraps, decommissioned fishing nets, and other materials. Normally, nylon has a significant detrimental impact on the environment. Using ECONYL® recycled base materials helps reduce these effects, utilizing less water in the manufacturing process, and ultimately generating less waste in the end.
The collection launches with Rescue Cargo Shorts, Rescue Hybrid Shorts, Rescue Lightweight Hoodie, Women’s Rescue ¼ Zip, and two Rescue Hats. These items will be available Spring 2022. View the full Rescue Sustainable Clothing line.