Materials

Eco-friendly performance apparel that doesn’t sacrifice style or sustainability. Zola’s sustainable activewear collection uses high-grade materials made from recycled and biodegradable materials.

Recycled polyester

Recycled polyester is a synthetic textile fiber made by melting down landfill-bound plastic waste and repurposing it into yarn.
Recycled polyester is a sustainable clothing material that gives a second life to non-biodegradable plastics that would have ended up in incinerators, landfill, and our oceans.
According to Ocean Conservancy over 8 million tons of plastic waste is lost in our oceans each year.
The production of recycled polyester uses 50% less energy and significantly less water than virgin polyester. It also reduces our overall carbon footprint by generating 32% fewer CO2 emissions in comparison to regular polyester.

Recycled Nylon

Our recycled nylon is produced from items like postindustrial waste fiber, recovered fishing nets, and leftover material from weaving mills. These items are given a new lease of life by being regenerated into yarn to make our sustainable activewear.
46% of the plastic in the ocean is made up of nylon fishing nets.
Repurposing nylon from discarded fishing nets is a wonderful solution to reduce ocean pollution.
Whilst recycling nylon is more expensive than producing new nylon, it is far more environmentally friendly and can be continuously recycled. Recycled nylon diverts waste from landfills and oceans, and its production uses far fewer resources than virgin nylon. 

Organic Cotton

Zola believes in using high-grade organic cotton, a biodegradable material far less damaging to the environment than conventional cotton.
Organic cotton uses 70% less water than conventional cotton as farmers recycle rainwater and use stored groundwater.
Unlike regular cotton production, organic cotton farmers utilize ancestral farming methods which support the environment. This includes crop rotation, non-GMO seeds, and farming without the use of pesticides or insecticides. The use of pesticides is lethal to local wildlife such as fish, birds, and beneficial insects. Farming without pesticides protects the farmers, their land, and their water systems from exposure to harmful chemicals.
By purchasing our organic cotton activewear, you are supporting environmentally friendly farming practices.

Spandex and Recycled Spandex

Zola uses a combination of regular and recycled spandex.
Spandex, also known as elastane or Lycra, is an important material in our performance apparel. It gives our garments their stretch. Spandex allows for a stylish formfitting silhouette and a full range of movement when wearing our sustainable activewear.
Spandex waste is a by-product of the manufacturing process. By using recycled spandex, thousands of tons are diverted from landfills each year and reincorporated into new products.
4,200 tons of recycled spandex is saved every year as a by-product from the manufacturing process.
Waste spandex fibers are collected from production lines and given a second life by repurposing into the raw materials at the production stage.
The use of recycled spandex helps Zola achieve its goal of moving away from single-use and unsustainable materials.