On a circular economy journey with Suur-Seudun Osuuskauppa (SSO)
In the summer of 2023, we began working with Suur-Seudun Osuuskauppa to consider solutions for utilizing old work clothes as a resource. The aim was to develop products from Prisma work shirts through fiber opening. Rester Oy had opened work clothes that had been removed from circulation during washing into fiber at its Paimio production facility.
This is how a felt bag was made from fibers
The fiber was carded and 30% of so-called fusible fiber was added to it, after which the wadding was made into felt using heat and pressure in the Vilikkala textile lamination line. At the same time, a thin lining fabric was attached to the felt. Kolmituote Oy sewed wonderful bags from the felt for Christmas gifts.
A local solution to utilize the resource
The Pussukka product is a perfect example of the cooperation between companies required by the circular economy. Utilizing textile waste as a resource is a very big opportunity to reduce environmental burden in accordance with the principles of the circular economy. The carbon footprint of recycled polyester alone is over 70% smaller than that of virgin polyester. In Finland, over 70 million kilograms of textile waste are generated annually. This fiber blend also included cotton and its effects on the environment are even more diverse.
Above all, together with SSO, we have responded to the problem of textile waste and found a good solution in which the entire resource utilization cooperation network operated in Southwest Finland in cooperation with local companies.
We believe that this project is just the beginning of utilizing textile waste as a resource in Finland. The story of Pussuka is a great example of a shared will and what can be achieved. In Vilikkalä, we continue research work in collaboration with Rester on how we can best utilize textile waste and especially mixed fibers in the production and productization of felt. Gradually, we will find even more sustainable and wonderful shapes for various products.
Greater Region Cooperative (SSO)
SSO is a local cooperative that operates in 8 municipalities in Western Uusimaa and the Salo Region. We have over 70,000 customer owners, whom we serve at over 80 locations in the supermarket and department store trade, transport trade, travel and catering trade, and car trade.
Rester Ltd.
Rester is a Nordic company that offers textile recycling solutions and enables the recovery of textiles into new textile fibers and high-quality raw materials. Rester is also a leading pioneer in building value chains for textile utilization. We act as a bridge between different sectors in developing the textile circular economy. Our customers are companies that use textiles and manufacture end-of-life textiles, as well as companies that can use Rester recycled fiber in their production or products.
Vilikkala Tradehouse Oy
The world is full of beautiful bags and storage baskets. Ours was created to make your everyday storage needs easier in an aesthetic way. Our goal is to use local recycled materials and find the best cycle for each product through our inventive materials and pioneering partnerships.
We offer textile services to companies that need customized textile processing from our stock materials, our own fabrics or leathers. We process two-component felt using heat and pressure on our textile line, and we cut roll products according to the customer's needs.
Vilikkala was founded in 2014 in Salo, in the village of Vilikkala. The company is part of Rester Oy's network of used textiles. The company is owned by Jari Toivonen and Hannu Tuomola.
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