From plastic waste to Wolfpack wear: NC State launches apparel collaboration

From plastic waste to Wolfpack wear: NC State launches apparel collaboration links recycled-material clothing with ocean-plastic cleanup financing through a limited collection for Wolfpack Outfitters. NC State partnered with Coastal Cool, an apparel company founded by a North Carolina teenager, to create swim trunks and cabana shirts made from recycled polyester derived from plastic waste. The company says manufacturers collect items such as plastic bottles, bags, and straws, convert them into flakes, and then into fibers for fabric. Through a partnership with the nonprofit Tidey, Coastal Cool funds the removal of one pound of ocean plastic for every item sold, and it reports removing more than 100,000 plastic bottles since launching six years ago. The collaboration began when NC State contacted Coastal Cool about six months ago and was developed with Design Den, NC State’s apparel design and production shop inside Talley Student Union. The designs incorporate Wolfpack belltower artwork and historical logo elements.