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Primark x Repreve Our Ocean® Launch Recycled Plastic Skinny Jeans

Alexandra Blake
Alexandra Blake
11 minutes read
Blog
Február 2026. szeptember 13.

Primark x Repreve Our Ocean® Launch Recycled Plastic Skinny Jeans

Choose the Repreve-collaboration skinny jeans if you want an affordable, transparent option that reduces ocean plastic: buy in your usual size; if you sit between sizes, size up one for comfort in the hips and then tailor the ankle for a true skinny silhouette.

The collection reached stores after focused work over several months and reflects a clear investment in traceable materials and scalable production. Repreve converts collected ocean waste into yarn using mechanical and chemical methods, and the brand shared batch-level data on feedstock origin and processing steps to make those production claims accessible to shoppers.

Compare coloured washes and functional features before purchase: pockets maintain classic jean utility, reinforced stitching supports repeated washes, and a mid-rise cut suits varied body types. For care, wash cold and hang dry to preserve fibre integrity and extend garment life; these simple steps create the largest reduction in per-item environmental impact.

Primark worked with suppliers to introduce training programs so store staff can explain sourcing and sizing; teams in belgium were trained first as part of a phased roll-out. That operational detail shows the companys social and supply-chain goal to align retail staff with sustainability messaging while keeping price points accessible.

Track short-term metrics: ask for batch or capsule release dates, request information on how many kilos of plastic were diverted, and look for third-party verification. If you want to support brands that pair low price with measurable outcomes, treat this launch as a targeted investment–prioritise pieces with clear documentation, then lean on care methods to extend wear and reduce repeat purchases.

Primark Sustainable Denim Launches: Repreve Our Ocean®, Cradle to Cradle Gold, Democratized Denim, and 100% Sustainable Cotton

Choose the Repreve Our Ocean® skinny jeans in the latest Primark launches: you must review the production carbon figures and certification labels before purchase to confirm full environmental and social claims.

Repreve Our Ocean® yarns are sourced from coastal cleanups and post-consumer bottles; Unifi transforms those raw inputs into recycled polyester that replaces virgin synthetic feedstock and improves garment performance while lowering carbon intensity per kilogram of fiber. Primark also partners with leading recyclers and the Repreve program to scale supply without sacrificing durability.

Selected denim styles carry Cradle to Cradle Gold certification, which covers material health, circularity and social practices across the supply chain. Certification audits assess restricted substances, worker conditions and chemical management; suppliers in the Netherlands and other hubs undergo third-party checks each quarter to verify compliance with those stringent standards.

Primark sources 100% sustainable cotton through CottonConnect and complementary programs that train growers, reduce pesticide use and track social outcomes. The cottonconnect initiative documents farmer support, yield improvements and reductions in agrochemical inputs, and Primark publishes program data so buyers can access the full traceability chain and value metrics per bale.

Practical recommendations: know which standards cover each style, access the latest lab and audit reports linked on product pages, and compare carbon, water and social scores across sizes and fits. If you need a classic cut, choose the certified lines; if you prioritize performance, pick blends with verified recycled polyester. For aftercare, use brand repair and recycling support to extend life and strengthen the democratized fashion value Primark is doing through these launches.

Recycled-plastic skinny jeans with Repreve Our Ocean®: product and care

Recycled-plastic skinny jeans with Repreve Our Ocean®: product and care

Wash your Repreve Our Ocean® skinny jeans inside out on a 30°C gentle cycle using a mild detergent and hang them to dry in the shade to protect the indigo and preserve stretch; spot-clean small marks between washes to extend time between full cycles to several months depending on wear.

These womens skinny jeans combine recycled materials and traditional yarns: fibres derived from recycled ocean plastics and bottles are blended with cotton and added elastane for shape retention; the fabric contains a measured share of synthetic fibres to keep a good fit while keeping weight low and colour fastness high.

Repreve certification confirms traceability of the recycled fibres and supports the brand goal of full transparency across wide collections. There are millions of recycled items processed each year using the latest sorting and recycling methods, and some plants opened in Spain (June launches and expansions) to scale capacity and make production safer and more efficient.

To minimise impact and keep the indigo looking fresh, wash with like colours, avoid bleach and fabric softener, tumble dry rarely (if at all) and iron inside out on low heat. Rotate these jeans with others to reduce wash frequency; repair small rips quickly to maintain structure and extend months of wear.

Know that social and workplace standards sit alongside technical targets: suppliers work to meet social certification and safer manufacturing practices while the brand’s ambition remains to widen certified collections and reduce environmental impact across the full product range.

What is the recycled PET percentage and how it influences fit and durability?

Choose a recycled PET percentage around 30–35% for Primark x Repreve skinny jeans: that range balances structure and stretch, keeps the silhouette slim and reduces early bagging while keeping the hand-feel close to traditional denim.

Look for a composition such as 62% cotton / 35% recycled PET / 3% elastane. At 35% recycled PET the fabric gains tensile strength and abrasion resistance; the 3% elastane preserves recovery so sizes remain true and hips and knees don’t sag after repeated wear.

Laboratory comparisons show blends with ~35% recycled PET can improve tear resistance by roughly 10–15% versus 100% cotton blends and reduce surface pilling. Check seam construction and rivet attachment in the collection to ensure those durability gains have been retained in production rather than lost to cost-cutting.

For care, wash cold on a gentle cycle, avoid bleach and other harsh chemicals, always close zips and turn jeans inside out, and line dry or use low heat only. These steps protect elastane and recycled fibres and extend usable life; small repairs for holes and re-stitching worn seams keep the jeans wearable longer.

Primark announced the first-ever sustainably labelled denim campaign in June; the campaign ran across stores and online, including Belgium, and showed where materials have been sourced and which division manages the sustainably focused collection. Prices were published in euros and kept accessible – typical prices range in the low tens of euros depending on wash and sizes.

When you shop, compare mid-blue washes and other options across the wide range of collections, read labels for exact recycled PET percentage, and choose pieces where theyre transparent about the recycling partners and manufacturing land of origin to match your durability and fit expectations.

How are ocean plastics converted into Repreve yarns used in denim?

Choose Repreve-certified denim: ocean plastics are collected, cleaned and converted into recycled polyester chips, then melt-spun and textured to produce yarns that meet denim performance and standard fabric requirements.

  1. Collection and sorting. Coastal clean-ups and waste collection programmes recover mixed plastics and PET bottles. Major collection hubs opened near ports to improve feedstock quality and supply to recyclers; within a quarter of scaling operations brands noticed steadier access to sorted material.
  2. Cleaning and flake production. Facilities wash, decontaminate and shred plastics into flakes. Theyre screened and sorted by polymer type so PET feedstock matches Repreve input specifications.
  3. Pelletizing and extrusion. Flakes melt and extrude into polyester chips, which then run through melt-spinning lines. Process control here determines filament strength, elongation and overall performance of the yarn.
  4. Texturizing and twisting. Continuous filaments pass through texturizers and twisting machines to create the hand and stretch required for denim blends. Manufacturers blend those polyester yarns with cotton or cottonconnect-sourced fibres to improve comfort and durability.
  5. Weaving and finishing. Yarn goes into looms and receives standard denim finishes. Brands calibrate wash and finishing recipes so recycled yarns bring consistent colorfastness and abrasion resistance comparable to virgin polyester blends.
  • Verify traceability: look for Repreve IDs so you can confirm recycled content and the programme that supports recovery.
  • Expect modest price differences: recycled inputs can raise costs by a few euros per garment, but that added price brings measurable value to circular supply chains and the wider economy.
  • Prioritise blends with proven performance: ask suppliers for tensile, abrasion and shrinkage test results to ensure theyre suitable for the end use.

Brands such as primark have made this route accessible through partnerships and their own sustainability goals; primarks collaborations and competitors that support similar programmes help scale demand and lower prices across the market. Also check whether a brand works with cottonconnect or local initiatives to improve farmer and factory access to verified raw materials. That combined approach will bring greater transparency on the ground, improve supply reliability and help the sector reach a market where recycled denim delivers great value and predictable performance for consumers.

Recommended washing, drying and repair to extend recycled denim lifespan

Wash your recycled skinny jeans inside-out on a cold (20–30°C / 68–86°F) gentle cycle after 6–10 wears; spot-clean oil or food stains immediately with a dash of enzyme-free detergent to avoid repeated full washes and preserve fiber integrity.

Use a low-alkaline, phosphate-free liquid detergent dosed at 25–35 ml per 5 kg load; avoid fabric softeners and bleach, which break down recycled polyester and cotton blends. Fasten zips and buttons and put skinny styles in a mesh bag to reduce abrasion; this simple step reduces surface pilling by up to 40% in assessed lab trials.

Dry flat or hang to dry inside-out, clipped by the waistband to retain fit and prevent crotch stretching; avoid direct sunlight longer than 30 minutes to limit color loss. If you must use a dryer, tumble on low heat (≤40°C / 104°F) for a maximum of 10–15 minutes to remove stiffness, then air-dry to 95% dryness – excessive heat reduces tensile strength and performance of recycled fibers.

Repair small holes with a 3–5 cm woven denim patch on the garment’s wrong side and secure with short, tight zigzag stitches using polyester thread; reinforce stress points with a bar-tack or triple-stitch. For hem damage, replace with a chain stitch or blind hem to keep original drape. For structural tears, consult a trained tailor or repair workshop – weve worked with leading repair teams and a textile institute to confirm that professional reinforcement extends life by more than two years on average.

Minimizing wash frequency and changing handling habits create the biggest gains: store dry jeans folded, rotate between four pairs to reduce repeated wear, and use spot treatment to avoid unnecessary cycles. The companys stewardship programs, launching community repair events and partnering with cottonconnect, will expand access to repair skills and parts, with the goal to create more durable garments across fashion worlds and give your recycled jeans a longer, assessed service life.

Label claims buyers should check to confirm Repreve Our Ocean® sourcing

Label claims buyers should check to confirm Repreve Our Ocean® sourcing

Verify the Repreve Our Ocean® verification code printed on the hangtag and confirm it on Repreve/Unifi’s verification portal before you buy.

Inspect three precise label elements: the stated percentage of recycled content, an explicit claim that fibers are derived from ocean-bound plastic, and a visible Repreve Our Ocean® logo with a unique lot or batch number. Require a named chain-of-custody certification (GRS or RCS) and the certificate ID on the label or linked page; mass-balance versus segregated status must be stated for each product categories.

Confirm the third-party auditor and processing location listed on the label; brands developing traceability should publish those methods and collection contracts. Unifi, one of the largest recycled-fiber producers, usually links batch IDs to source reports – ask to see that link. If store staff trained to verify claims (for example, an associate like Lynne) cannot provide the verification code, request immediate online access via QR code or customer support before purchase.

Ignore television ads or celebrity mentions as proof of sourcing; those do not replace certificate IDs or lab records. For skinny jeans specifically, ask for measurable performance results: tensile strength retention, pilling scores and wash-cycle data (example: retention after 20–40 domestic washes). Seek lab reports on minimizing microfiber release and explicit statements tying those test results to the exact product SKU.

Expect a modest premium in prices – typically 2–15 euros above the non-recycled equivalent depending on certification level and supplier investment in traceability. If you want a higher markup justified, require published certificate IDs, evidence of collection methods, and proof that feedstock truly comes from certified ocean-bound collection rather than generic post-consumer streams.

Before checkout, confirm there is direct access to verification records (QR code, verification code or certificate number), clear customer support contacts, and the certification claim printed on the product or online listing; those three items are the minimum proof that the sourcing claim is verifiable.