Ringing in the new decade, 2020 marks the 10 year anniversary of Recover. While in our beginnings we never could have imagined being where we are now, every step of the way our mission to create the best, most environmentally friendly and socially responsible products possible and to educate and inspire those around us to live and work for a sustainable tomorrow has been at the heart of what we do, how we do it, and what we’re pushing to do next.
Looking back, Recover’s story started in 2008 when co-founder and president Bill Johnston graduated from NC State “obsessed” with sustainability and the outdoors. After graduating, Bill picked up work guiding teenagers on backpacking and mountaineering. It was in the mountains and backcountry around the world that he realized the pressing need for plastic pollution action and education, witnessing the far-reaching negative impacts firsthand both at home and abroad.
In 2009, Bill and family friend and veteran textile manufacturer John Riddle reconnected when Bill was in between guiding trips looking to buy a road bike and John had one to sell. The two began riding together, brainstorming the possibilities of making apparel out of recycled plastic bottles and upcycled cotton. While spinning wheels, the idea for Recover was born.
Bill and John officially founded Recover in 2010. A sustainable apparel company that not only reduces plastic pollution in our rivers, oceans, landfills, and adventure playgrounds, Recover also gives people an easy choice to be part of a solution instead of part of a problem. Our 360° process -- from design to manufacturing to fulfillment -- sources recycled plastic bottles and upcycled cotton for materials; minimizes dyes; significantly reduces the use of chemicals, water, and energy; and completely eliminates plastic packaging.
It’s making a difference. In our first 10 years, Recover has diverted 10,978,592 plastic bottles from the landfill, saved 16,646,290 lbs of CO2 emissions, saved 40,895,255 KWH of energy, and saved 2.86 billion gallons of water.
Through the Recover Co Brand program and Recover’s initiatives such as Clean Water, CAREolinas, RAD, Protect Our Parks, and Closed Loop we have worked to connect and support artists, communities, and the environment. Partnering with companies, events, nonprofits, and individual customers, together, the community taking action for a sustainable tomorrow today extends far beyond Recover, and we thank you for that.
For our 10-year anniversary, we’ve got a lot of exciting things to share with you in 2020. Ever inspired by y’all, our story and drive to make the best products possible and educate and inspire for a sustainable tomorrow continues.
