Toronto-based Redwood Classics Apparel (asi/81627) announced a new collaboration with Preloved, a garment upcycling company in Canada. The two socially conscious companies are now offering a collection of three functional, handcrafted upcycled bags made out of single-use street pole banners from the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.

The initiative not only keeps the banners out of landfills, but also celebrates the Games’ legacy for the Canadian city. The collection includes the Ellie Shopping Bag (WPR020), Princes’ Gate Laundry Bag (WPR019) and Pachi Produce Bag Set (WPR021).

The lightweight Ellie Shopping Bag, made from single-use street pole banners from the 2015 Pan Am Games hosted in Toronto, is ideal for trips to the gym or farmers market.

“Upcycling isn’t just a trend. To us, it’s the only way the fashion industry can move forward,” says Kathy Cheng, president of Redwood Classics Apparel. “This collaboration with Preloved is the next step in our journey to creating a more sustainable fashion industry while directly impacting our local community by reducing plastic consumption.”

The bags are breathable, washable, lightweight and feature durable construction for daily use.

Perfect for vacationers and college students, this Princes’ Gate laundry bag has a drawcord and shoulder strap.

In addition, Redwood will donate $1 from every purchase to Kidsport, a national nonprofit that helps to cover the cost of team registration and equipment for children 18 and under in Canada.

“There are so many benefits, both mental and physical, to participating in sports,” says Julia Grieve, founder and CEO of Preloved. “Affordability shouldn’t be a barrier to participating in organized sports, so we knew that this collection should help to give back to kids in our community to build on the legacy of the Pan Am Games.”

The three-piece Pachi Produce Bag Set features bags in three different sizes as an alternative to single-use plastic bags at grocery stores.

Since 1951, the Pan Am Games has welcomed athletes from North, Central and South America to compete every four years in sports such as gymnastics, swimming, track and field and many more. Following Toronto in 2015, the 2019 Games were held in Lima, Peru, and the 2023 Games will be in Santiago, Chile.

It’s the latest project that’s brought together Redwood Classics Apparel and Preloved; the companies have also taken clothing bound for landfills and created upcycled face masks, scarves and mittens.

In recent weeks, Redwood Classics Apparel launched a Ukrainian fundraiser to benefit the Red Cross Canada Ukraine Relief Fund, and supplied T-shirts featuring local art in honor of Women’s History Month, on behalf of the first Little by Little Campaign hosted by London, ON-based B Corp McCabe Promotional Advertising (asi/264901). In 2021, the eco-conscious supplier also released its first Impact Report that tracked 10 years of sustainability and diversity efforts.

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