YKK addresses the ocean plastic problem with new NATULON® Ocean Sourced™ zipper collection

With 80% of all plastic entering the ocean originating from land based sources,(1) preventing it from making its way to the ocean is the most effective way to eliminate marine plastic. The diversion of ocean bound plastic from waterways and waste streams helps to address the environmental crisis occurring in the world's oceans.

Each year, it's estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean.(2) Millions of birds, turtles, and fish are negatively impacted by plastic marine debris. Between 57,000 and 135,000 whales are entangled in discarded fishing nets and other plastic waste every year.(3) Plastic has even been found in the internal organs of fish and in our drinking water.

"YKK has a long history of environmental stewardship, which is an integral part of our "Cycle of Goodness" philosophy. Our Environmental Pledge was signed by our CEO in 1994, and we created NATULON®, the first zipper made from recycled PET bottles and polyester remnants, over 25 years ago. Today we offer a wide range of sustainable products and technologies. NATULON® Ocean Sourced™ is just the latest addition to our portfolio of eco-innovation," says Tsukumo.

YKK's collection of sustainable trims is aimed at reducing carbon emissions, toxic chemicals, and water use. In addition to NATULON® Ocean Sourced™, the collection features the GreenRise™ zipper, the first in the industry to use plant-based polyester, thereby achieving a 30% reduction in petroleum usage, YKK's organic cotton zippers, and YKK's original NATULON® zipper, which recycles approximately 3,600 plastic bottles (29 g/bottle) per 10,000 zippers (60 cm length). Also included in the collection are zippers made using YKK's ECO-DYE® dyeing technology, which has completely eliminated the usage of water in the dyeing process, and environmentally friendly snaps and buttons made using Acro-Plating™, a new plating technology that uses fewer resources to manufacture and does not use harmful plating chemicals.

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www.ykk.com

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(1) Stemming the Tide: Land-based strategies for a plastic- free ocean. McKinsey & Company and Ocean Conservancy. 2015.

(2) Plastics in the Ocean. Jordana Merran - https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/plastics-in-the-ocean/

(3) Ocean Plastic - https://www.parley.tv/oceanplastic#parley-air-strategy-1