Looking for another fine beach towel, picnic blanket or cloth to drape yourself with on the beach? Then put this hamam towel from Zeeman on your greener list. This cloth is made from - brace yourself - old textile waste, including worn jeans from Zeeman employees. Together with Dutch makers, Zeeman worked on a circular chain, and the result is this amazing hamam towel. How exactly was it made? Here's the thing...
Sustainable bath textiles: Zeeman shows it can be done!
In collaboration with Zeeman
Bath textiles are usually made of cotton, or a blend of cotton with synthetic fibres. And although cotton is a natural product, it is also quite a burden on the environment: it takes a lot of water, energy and pesticides to grow and process. With this project, Zeeman took a different approach. No new raw materials were used, but old textiles served as the starting point. In fact, the story of this hamam towel starts with worn-out denim workwear of their own employees. Tóf!
Hamam towel from Zeeman with circular story
Instead of discarding that workwear, it was collected and taken to Frankenhuis - a textile recycling specialist in Haaksbergen. At Frankenhuis, the jeans were fibreised into reusable cotton fibres. In other words, the fabric was mechanically taken apart into loose fibres that can be reused as a raw material for textiles. For example, to spin yarn from it. As recycled cotton alone is not strong enough for a sturdy end product, it was mixed with lyocell: a soft, strong fibre based on wood pulp, which is also produced in an environmentally friendly way. At spinning mill Spinning Jenny in Nijverdal, this mix was then spun into new yarn. But yarn is not yet a beach towel...
The threads then went across the border to Germany, where they were twisted, a technique in which several yarns are twisted together for extra strength.
The yarn then arrived at Enschede Textielstad, where it was woven on a new type of loom ‘smart creel loom’ into a soft, firm fabric. The result: a hamam towel made of 35% post-consumer recycled textiles and 65% lyocell. As both materials are made of cellulose, the cloth is not only comfortable and strong, but also highly recyclable again. From discarded garment to new favourite for beach or bathroom - this is what circular looks like. We are fans.
The final step took place at Remake Society, where the woven fabric was processed into the final product: a hamam towel. Remake Society is a social and circular initiative that assists people who could use some extra support in the labour market. Thus, this cloth is not only a great example of circular thinking, but also of social production. And the nice thing is: it is just in shops. For 25 euros, you can score it at Zeeman - or just order online.
The collaboration came about under the leadership of CircleValue, an initiative of public waste organisations. They brought together the right partners and ensured that the old jeans - normally residual waste - could serve as raw material for this new product.
In the Netherlands and just across the border in Germany, Zeeman makes hamam towels for sale that are made from old jeans worn by shop staff.
Put Zeeman on your greener list too!
You might think of Zeeman mainly as socks and pants for a bargain. And honestly, that's exactly what they do. But behind those low prices lies a surprisingly serious sustainability ambition. Under the motto ‘sparing people, environment and resources’, Zeeman is working step by step towards a fairer and more circular product range. From clothing collection to second-hand sales and recycled textiles on the shelves, the chain is trying to make a real difference. The hamam towel from this project is a great example. Not just because it is made from old jeans, but mainly because it shows that circular production can also be affordable and accessible. And we think that thegreenlist.nl exactly the right direction. No green bubble, but practical steps for all. Learn more about Zeeman's circular ambitions.
More sustainable summer tips
- Also see: looking for sustainable deodorant.
- Also see: list of fine, stainless steel drinking bottles for on-the-go and picnics.
- Also see: delicious summer pasta salad for on your hamam rug.
Photo credits: Seaman.
