In Timor-Leste, seven discarded plastic bottles can be turned into a school uniform

Branditall, a Dili-based company owned by Australian founder Tammy Kassio, is creating sustainable school uniforms made out of plastic bottles.

Kassio aims to help local people access high-quality, durable and comfortable products while growing Timor-Leste’s recycling and manufacturing industry.

Kassio has worked with the Branditall team to use special technology to convert plastic bottles into raw materials that can be added to the fabric production process.

As a result, the company can produce one school shirt made out of sustainable fabric comparable to seven plastic bottles. The products are worn at more than 20 schools in Timor-Leste.

“Not only is the process cost-effective, but it is also growing a circular economy for Timor-Leste in the extraction of materials from plastic bottles and then reusing the materials into other manufacturing streams such as fabric production,” added Kassio.

In addition to making school uniforms out of plastic bottles, Branditall recycles plastic to produce other ranges of items including workwear, shoes and accessories.

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