Repurposing ocean plastics into window furnishings

Luxaflex is turning plastic waste collected from beaches and waterways into high-quality window coverings.

The program is an international collaboration with Luxaflex parent company Hunter Douglas, Bionic and the Waterkeeper Alliance.

According to CSIRO, around 90 tonnes of primary materials are extracted each year to make plastic products and only 9% of this is recycled. An estimated 14 million tonnes of microplastics have accumulated on the seafloor, disrupting marine ecosystems.

Luxaflex Equascreen is a fabric made using 50% recycled ocean-bound plastic, designed specifically for interior blinds such as Luxaflex Roller and Panel Glide Blinds.

Plastic is collected in 37 countries through a global network of clean-up initiatives, then sorted, processed and spun into Bionic FLX yarn. This yarn is used to create sustainable fabrics that reduce glare, provide UV protection and help regulate indoor temperatures.

The fabric is Cradle to Cradle Certified, PVC-free, halogen-free and Oeko-Tex Certified, meeting global standards for health, recyclability and circular design.

Since the program’s inception in 2019, over 40 tonnes of ocean-bound plastic have been repurposed into Equascreen fabrics.

“With Luxaflex Equascreen, we’ve proven that it’s possible to merge sustainable innovation with home comfort and style,” said Diana Altiparmakova, Head of Product and Marketing, Luxaflex Window Fashions. “We’re proud to lead the way globally, showing that businesses can be part of the solution not the problem. The initiative is also testament to the power of partnerships, with local communities empowered through collection programs that generate both environmental and economic impact.”

This initiative is part of a wider sustainability movement across the company’s product portfolio, which includes blinds made from recycled polyester in the energy-efficient honeycomb Duette Shades range, and a newly added range called Thea for the Luxaflex Pirouette Shadings range.

“Window furnishings are often overlooked when it comes to sustainable design. But they’re critical, not just in helping to regulate a home’s energy use, but in setting the tone for a space,” Altiparmakova said. “The fact that Luxaflex transforms global plastic waste into stylish, high-performance window coverings means Australian homeowners can make a difference from the comfort of their home.”

Images supplied by Luxaflex.