Why We Build Belts From Recycled Materials
At Arcade Belts, we believe the gear you wear every day should work as hard as you do while making a positive impact on the planet. We've built our company around a simple idea: create belts that combine uncompromising performance with environmental responsibility.
That's why we use 85% recycled REPREVE polyester in our performance stretch webbing.[1] When you choose an Arcade belt, you get the comfort, durability, and versatility you need for your active lifestyle, while supporting a more sustainable approach to the products you depend on.
What Makes Recycled Belts Better
Imagine taking a plastic bottle that would've ended up in the ocean and turning it into a belt that stretches when you bend over to tie your boots, doesn't set off metal detectors at the airport, and can go straight into the washing machine after a muddy hike.
That's what we do. Plus, our belts actually outperform traditional leather and synthetic materials. They're more flexible, more durable, and they don't crack, fade, or need special care.
The environmental math is pretty straightforward too. Making our recycled belts uses 84% less energy, 77% less CO2, and 68% less water than traditional belt materials.[2] Over 42 billion plastic bottles have been diverted from landfills and oceans to create REPREVE fiber.[3] One quality belt that lasts you 10 years beats buying three cheap ones that fall apart.
From Ocean Plastic to Your Pants
Here's how it works: Plastic bottles get collected from beaches, oceans, and landfills. They're cleaned, sorted, and broken down into raw materials. Then advanced technology transforms them into high-performance fibers that become our belt webbing.
The result is a belt that performs better than traditional materials while keeping plastic out of the environment. We're talking tested durability, real flexibility, and the satisfaction of knowing your gear is part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
The Side-by-Side Comparison
If you're a numbers person, here's what choosing recycled materials actually looks like:
|
Traditional Materials |
Recycled Materials |
What This Means for You |
|---|---|---|
|
High energy usage |
84% less energy |
Dramatically lower production energy |
|
High water usage |
68% less water |
Actual water savings |
|
High CO2 emissions |
77% less CO2 |
Cleaner air |
|
Replace every few years |
Built to last up to a decade, backed by our lifetime guarantee |
One purchase, done |
When you buy a recycled belt, you're supporting a system that turns waste into something useful.
One Belt That Actually Works for Your Life
Most people don't live in neat little boxes. You might wear your belt to the job site in the morning, grab lunch with a client, then head to your kid's soccer game after work. Maybe you're traveling for work and need something that won't hold you up at TSA. Or you spilled coffee on yourself (again) and need a belt you can actually wash.
We built our belts for real life. The micro-adjustable fit means no awkward holes. The metal-free buckle walks right through airport security. Water-resistant materials handle spills and weather. And when your belt gets dirty, throw it in the wash with your work clothes.
Our 85% recycled REPREVE belts move from office to trail to travel without missing a beat. Because your life doesn't fit into neat categories, and neither should your gear.
How to Spot a Belt Worth Buying
Not all "eco-friendly" belts are created equal. Here's what actually matters:
Look for specifics. A belt that says "sustainable" without telling you what it's made of? Pass. You want actual material percentages and certifications. Our belts are 85% recycled REPREVE polyester with Global Recycled Standard certification.[4] That's the kind of transparency you should expect.
Think about durability. Buying cheap belts every year defeats the whole purpose. A quality belt should last you 5-10 years minimum. We've got customers who've been wearing the same Arcade belt for years through job sites, hikes, travel, and daily wear. That's what you're looking for.
Make sure it fits your life. If you're on your feet all day, you need stretch and comfort. Travel a lot? Get something TSA-friendly. Work outdoors? Water-resistance matters. The belt should handle your actual daily routine, not just look good on a shelf.
What People Are Saying
"Stretchy but secure, I love how the buckle lies so much flatter than other belts I've owned. Comfy." - Quill C.
"Great belt from Arcade. Been a customer and a fan for a while. Great belts for an active lifestyle." - Jeff M.
The Bottom Line
Every time you buy something, you're voting with your wallet. When you choose recycled materials, you're telling companies that this stuff matters. You're supporting the diversion of waste from oceans and landfills. You're reducing the demand for virgin plastics.
And honestly? There's something satisfying about wearing gear that aligns with your values. A belt made from recycled ocean plastic does its job while being part of the solution.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Start with one good belt. Choose a neutral color that works with your work clothes and your weekend gear. Buy quality that'll last years instead of buying replacements every season.
Take care of it (which mostly means throwing it in the wash when it's dirty), and it'll take care of you.
We're Arcade Belts, a family-owned company that makes belts from 85% recycled REPREVE polyester. Our belts stretch, wash, travel well, and last. They work for job sites, offices, trails, and airports.
Quality gear that lasts is the most sustainable choice you can make.
Sources
[1] Textile World. "Arcade Belt Co. Announces Shift to REPREVE Recycled Polyester" (July 2022). Arcade Belts uses 85% REPREVE recycled polyester with 15% virgin natural rubber in their performance stretch webbing. Available at: https://www.textileworld.com/textile-world/fiber-world/2022/07/arcade-belt-co-announces-shift-to-repreve-recycled-polyester/
[2] UNIFI, Inc. "Sustainability Snapshot 2024." Life Cycle Assessment data for REPREVE Takeback Staple Fiber shows 84% reduction in energy consumption, 77% reduction in GHG emissions, and 68% reduction in freshwater consumption compared to virgin polyester production. Based on ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, third-party reviewed. Available at: https://unifi.com/uploads/documents/Updated-sustainability-snapshot-2024.pdf
[3] UNIFI, Inc. "Sustainability Snapshot 2024." As of fiscal year 2024 (ended June 30, 2024), UNIFI had recycled 42 billion plastic bottles through the REPREVE platform. Available at: https://unifi.com/uploads/documents/Updated-sustainability-snapshot-2024.pdf
[4] Textile Exchange. "Global Recycled Standard (GRS)." An internationally recognized certification that verifies recycled content and tracks materials throughout the supply chain. REPREVE polyester is certified under GRS standards. Available at: https://textileexchange.org/recycled-claim-global-recycled-standard/
