iQ - Why are they doing this?
The question arises more often than we thought: why do we do this? Why collect plastic waste from the sea, recycle these self-collected raw materials, produce granules and threads from them, and make shirts and more from the fabrics made from them? There are certainly simpler ways to produce a T-shirt.
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Divers Witness the Death of the Sea
iQ comes from water sports. Since 1994, we have been in the diving industry. You see the sea from above and below and are alarmed. If you witness the dying of corals up close, see plastic mountains in front of the islands of the locals in the Maldives, or discover dead fish on the beach, you no longer want to watch that.
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Complete Realignment
In the early 2000s, we questioned ourselves and started to rethink. On the one hand, we wanted to counteract the already acute danger of skin cancer and sunburns for everyone working outdoors, and on the other hand, produce sustainable fashion or, as the industry says today, "Fair Fashion" or "Slow Fashion." In Italy and France, we found new friends who support us in combining the two. We had hundreds of fabrics tested by TÜV and can now, after many years of trials and progress, say that we are happy with the results. TÜV-tested.
Think Sustainable, Live Sustainable
The product was one thing, the rest had to follow. We eliminated paper from our office and plastic packaging from production. We also revamped our small company in the beautiful Rheingau wine region. A solar system on the roof provides us with all the energy we need, and our employees no longer need to commute as everyone works from home. Customer visits take place virtually whenever possible, and we only attend trade fairs when absolutely necessary for iQ.
UV Protection Clothing and More
The result makes us a little proud because today we even receive recognition from politics for our actions. UV protection clothing is our core business. Giving people healthy UV clothing and knowing that these products harm no animals or nature is a good feeling for us and for many of our customers who can buy iQ with a clear conscience.
Our Raw Materials Cleanse the Sea
We find the idea of pulling PET bottles, fishing nets, and old carpets out of the sea and turning them into new raw materials downright ingenious. Not only do we do this, but many more fashion manufacturers should do the same. If the whole world wore only such clothing, there would be no plastic left in the world's oceans within a few years. Fish could breathe again, corals and reefs could recover, and residents and vacationers could enjoy a clean beach and a clean sea. Currently, we retrieve around 30 tons of plastic from the sea. Not bad, right?!
Our Goals Depend on You
Our goal of fishing 100 tons of plastic from global saltwater annually is still far away. But it is not impossible. It is up to you; look at your wardrobe and consider what you no longer need and what you want to replace. Buy iQ or other brands that follow similar practices. Avoid cotton, even organic cotton, because the water consumption alone for planting and producing a cotton shirt is many times higher than for an iQ shirt. With UV protection to wear, you also save many tubes of sunscreen or sun lotion; that is a bit less plastic waste and, above all, fewer pollutants that indirectly reach the sea and harm marine life.
Why Do We Do This?
The answer is simple: we like to make comfortable clothing; that has always been our top goal. But we also want to contribute to a healthy future for people, animals, and the environment. This is achieved with UV protection clothing made from recycled materials. And somehow fitting to our name: iQ. Be smart and join us!