About this project

Organisation

Ida & Volta

Ida & Volta produces plastic-free and recyclable clothing

Ida & Volta makes clothes from 100% natural and biodegradable, recycled or upcycled materials. Wherever possible, they choose domestically sourced fabrics such as linen and wool, and they also do most of the manufacturing themselves here in Belgium. When fabrics outside Europe are occasionally chosen (in terms of origin, but processed in Europe), they are sourced from a specific supplier who scores very highly on all the principles Ida & Volta stands for.

Plastic-free clothing

When the company produces a garment from scratch, it is always plastic-free. This means that no stretch yarn, polyester, nylon, plastic buttons or non-wovens are ever used. Why? Plastic is made from petroleum, a raw material that is non-renewable. During the production process, this also releases toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans, animals and the environment. On top of this, garments containing plastic release microplastics with every wash and end up in the water. As no way has yet been found to filter them out of the water, Ida & Volta wants to avoid them as much as possible.

Design with recycling potential

To facilitate the recycling process later, the garments are always made from one type of textile. By using a mono material, the garments do not have to be taken apart piece by piece later on. It is also why they chose to use cotton yarn instead of polyester. Because polyester is not biodegradable either, which again makes it more difficult to recycle.

Not only was thought given to the outside of the garments, the inside is at least as important. Usually, plastic and glue are used here to preserve the beautiful shape of a garment. Here, Ida & Volta chose to work with natural cloths that are not only biodegradable, but keep your favourite garment in shape for longer.

Related cases

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

03/02/2025

DoDoe Circular Atelier: from banner to corporate gift

DoeDoe is a circular workshop in Wilrijk, where the reuse of materials and attention to people are central. Read more
Manufacturing

Manufacturing

11/01/2025

Automated Book Processing-machine

Valvan builds machine that sorts and prices used books Valvan from Menen developed a book-sorting machine for a large thrift store chain in the US that sorts and prices m Read more
Construction

Construction

03/02/2025

Recycork: from cork to insulation material

Do you also pop pedal buckets full of corks every year? Instead of throwing them away, you can keep them and turn them in to De Vlaspit vzw. Read more
Bio economy

Bio economy

05/01/2025

Sonian Wood Coop

From tree to table Why import or export wood when you can create fantastic design in your own country with homegrown wood? Read more