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1208 days ago

Recycled polyester

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean Palmerston North

Along our journey to creating a more sustainable future, our studios are working to incorporate innovative textiles into our product offering. The technical advancement of recycled yarn production has led to textiles which are not only more environmentally friendly, but emulate the soft handle of virgin fibres. In this article we explain the process of transforming post-consumer plastic bottles into recycled polyester yarn, through an investigation into the production of our first recycled product Kumo Recycled by James Dunlop.

Woven in 92% recycled polyester and 8% polyester yarn, Kumo Recycled presents a modern perspective on fibre construction. Available in 15 decorative shades, Kumo Recycled is suitable for those seeking a high-performance wide width sheer that is fire retardant and has a weighted selvedge in both residential and commercial applications, elegantly framing the view in any setting.

THE RECYCLING PROCESS:
At the recycling facility, post-consumer PET bottles are magnetically sorted by a metal detector and the labels are washed off with water in a revolving cylinder called a Tromel. The clean PET bottles are then sorted into types and colours by a near infrared ray and spectrum camera before being shredded into flakes underwater.

Separation occurs as lighter plastics float to the tank’s surface. The flakes are dried in a tumbler, then rinsed with sodium hydroxide, dried, rinsed in water, and dried once more. Residual contaminants and metals are then blown out and the flakes are shredded into smaller flakes, ready to be used to produce a liquid polymer (resin).

Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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Local Highlight

2 days ago

Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑

Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.

We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

Want to read more? The Press has you covered!

🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?

53.7% Human-centred experience and communication

53.7% Complete
14.6% Critical thinking

14.6% Complete
29.1% Resilience and adaptability

29.1% Complete
2.6% Other - I will share below!

2.6% Complete

350 votes

17 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

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1 day ago

The latest product recalls