System 0—The next chapter in the Arc’teryx circularity journey
Arc’teryx just announced System 0, which represents a significant leap forward in the future of circular design, not just for the brand, but also for the broader apparel industry as a whole.The typical linear approach in the apparel industry has been the same for decades:
- Take raw materials from the earth
- Turn them into products
- Eventually, send those products to landfill
With this new initiative, Arc’teryx is setting out to change that.
System 0™ is Arc’teryx’s new circularity program linking all of their products, services, their business model, and guest experience together in a committed journey toward a circular economy. Rather than the traditional linear model, System 0™ considers all three stages of a product's life: materials sourcing, durability, and end of life. The goal is to reduce impact and keep products and materials in use longer.
System 0™ begins with the materials. The Sperro SV, the first product under this initiative, was made in collaboration with Aquafil to source recycled content, including ECONYL® regenerated nylon, used in its face fabric and backer. GORE-TEX, Arc'teryx's longtime partner, supplies the waterproof membrane technology used in the Sperro SV.
The Sperro SV is designed and tested for maximum durability in the mountains, so it can stay in play for as long as possible. Arc'teryx rigorously tests its gear to learn where it wears out the fastest, so it can make future repairs through REBIRD even easier. When the jacket is no longer repairable, REBIRD takes it back to begin the disassembly process, where recoverable materials are collected. From there, Arc'teryx works with Aquafil to chemically recycle the ECONYL face fabric and backer components where feasible.
This means the ECONYL materials used in the Sperro SV today can become the materials of tomorrow.
System 0™ marks a shift in the relationship between a brand, its products, and the materials that go into them, rethinking not just how products are made, but the business model behind them. Built with the end of its life considered from the start, the Sperro SV, the first product under this initiative, sets a new standard for what a more circular approach can look like at Arc'teryx.
