REFRAMING

SEQUIN AND SPARKLE

Submitted To- Mr. Indrajit

Submitted by-Prachi Yadav
20BFD1111
AGENDA
Introduction​
Challenges
Sequins Alternatives
Lower Impact Glitter
Action Points
​Pros and Cons
ELISSA BRUNATO
Elissa Brunato has developed sustainable sequins that shimmer without the use of
chemicals. We talk to the designer – a runner up in the MullenLowe NOVA Awards,
and winner of the Creative Review Innovation Award – about her work. For all their
aesthetic appeal, sequins are pretty terrible for the environment.
INTRODUCTION
Sequins are a compromised embellishment with few viable alternatives when it comes
to sustainability. We outline the issues and identify strategies to limit virgin usage and
promote longevity.
Sequins and glitter are made of reflective microplastic particles that pollute aquatic
ecosystems and landfill years after being worn. In 2019, charitable organization
Oxfam estimated around 1.7m sequin items ended up in landfill after each festive
period.
 CHALLENGES
AROUND LOWER IMPACT SEQUINS

Made of etched aluminium bonded to PET plastic, sequins are non-recyclable and wasteful to produce,
with about 33% of sequin film discarded in standard punching practice.

Recycled plastic: some brands are piloting rPET sequins, working with suppliers such as The
Sustainable Sequin Company, which makes custom-designed, efficiently cut sequins in 20% rPET and
80% virgin PET to lower impact while retaining durability. rPET sequins are more expensive to use.
Bio-based plastic: although much is written about bio-sequins, they are at the proof of-concept stage
and not commercially available at scale. Concept innovations include Elissa Brunato’s cellulose bio-
iridescent sequins and Phillip Lim and Charlotte McCurdy's algae bioplastic sequin dress. The
Sustainable Sequin Company plans to transition to bio-based sequins in collaboration with Future
Fashion Factory.

How you can action this : partner with innovators to accelerate R&D on new materials, aiming to make
them viable long term.
 SEQUINS ALTERNATIVES

Metallic threads : shimmer can be achieved in fabric. The Lurex Company has a range of
lower-impact, traceable Lurex yarns made of post-consumer recycled polyester (PET bottles),
pre-consumer recycled polyamide and rayon (polymer chips or yarn waste) that are certified
GRS and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (toxicity-tested).

Beads : replacing sequins with beads can be a greener option. Source from deadstock suppliers,
or source certified recycled glass, metal and PET including GRS, Recycled Claim Standard
(RCS) and Certified Responsible Source (CRS) eco labels. Attaching them with dissolvable
stitching will make pieces easier to disassemble for recycling.

Sequin-look prints : printed fabric with sequin-dot foils and films can mimic sequins, but
metal and plasticised films will likely have a similar chemistry to sequins, providing
recyclability challenges. Consider hyper-digital prints that emulate sparkle instead.

How you can action this : plan for the reduction, if not eradication, of sequins in your ranges.
Invest in R&D and sourcing of lower-impact alternative materials and trims.
 LOWER IMPACT GLITTER
Used for garment decoration, glitter is known as a 'problem microplastic', fueling concern around its use. In 2020, British supermarkets
Morrisons, Waitrose and John Lewis banned glitter in own-brand Christmas products to reduce festive plastic pollution. There are
glitters labelled as biodegradable and compostable on the market, but claims around these can be misleading.
Alternative glitter options :
Modified regenerated cellulose: MRC glitter can biodegrade, but its potential may be hampered by metal and plastic coatings.

Compos table glitter: not suitable for home-composting, this product can only be broken down in controlled industrial composting
facilities.

PLA glitter : polylactic acid-based glitter, a renewable bioplastic, has to undergo an industrial hydrolysis process to degrade it.

Cellophane and cellulose acetate: neither of these cellulose-based glitters have the chemistry to biodegrade in the natural
environment. Made of eucalyptus cellulose and entirely PET-free, Bioglitter meets TÜV Austria's OK biodegradable WATER
certification.

How you can action this : phase out PET glitter. If you must use glitter, use certified products that biodegrade safely in a natural
environment.
 ACTION POINTS
Strive for sequin-free sparkle : Take steps to engineer sequins out of product ranges as part of a long-
term sustainability strategy. Invest in R&D and sourcing programmes to accelerate the use of alternative,
replacement materials, finishes and embellishments that delight consumers and drive revenue.

Design for circularity : Make sequinned product lines fit for circularity. Starting at design stage, engineer
your products for recyclability and disassembly, considering embellishments and base fabric at end of life.
Use heat-dissolvable threads and remove metal coatings from sequins to make them easier to recycle.

Build in product longevity : Reframe sparkle as investment pieces. Create items with enduring appeal
and versatility to be worn many times, shared, handed down or resold at a good value. Extend garment
life by offering repair kits and aftercare.

Invest in material innovation : R&D innovations in recycled and biobased plastic sequins will evolve. If
sparkle is key to your business, invest to encourage viable future solutions around recyclable,
biodegradable and compostable embellishment
 PROS AND CONS
PROS
1. As designing for disassembly gains traction,
innovations such as heat- dissolvable thread
will help brands accelerate progress in
recyclability, aiding embellishment removal so
garments can be disassembled.
2. Creating better quality, versatile and well-
designed sparkly items will boost potential to
extend product lifespan by extending use and
encouraging multiple wears, lending, sharing
and resale.
3. Emergent development of recycled plastic
and bioplastic sequins and glitter reflects the
industry's interest in lower-impact alternatives.
4. Sequins containing recycled plastic content
have lower environmental impact versus 100%
virgin plastic ones, while bioplastic sequins
that can achieve safe biodegradability and
compostability could be a more viable, scalable
option in the future
CONS
1.As with other textiles, sequins have social
and environmental implications, so ensure
makers are paid fairly for their handmade
embellishments.
2. Recycled plastic sequins currently contain a
large percentage of virgin plastic for stability
and durability. They are more expensive and
not as widely available as standard plastic ones.
3.Bio-based sequins and glitter are mainly at
the proof-of-concept stage now. They may
cause similar ecological damage to rivers and
lakes as standard sequins, according to a study
by Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, so
take care to investigate eco-friendly claims
THANK YOU