Billi London launches world’s first enhanced biodegradable tights

by Startacus Admin

Each year, a reported 2 billion pairs of tights are produced, worn once and discarded. Step forward, Billi London who has launched the world’s first enhanced biodegradable tights. 

Decomposing in less than five years in landfill versus traditional tights requiring anywhere from 40 to 100 years, Billi London is the first brand to create revolutionary tights with enhanced biodegradability, drastically reducing the harm that tights have on the planet.

Created in the UK by two French entrepreneurs, Sophie Billi-Hardwick and Marie Bouhier, the biodegradable tights are sustainably and ethically produced in Italy and will be available via a bi-monthly subscription model, delivered directly to the consumer’s door.

Sophie Billi-Hardwick said:

‘‘Women have accepted that tights are not far from being a single use garment and they robotically dispose of their ripped tights, without realising the impact that this has on the environment: it is how it has always been and it is how it will always be.’

The co-founders have been working with a yarn supplier able to apply an enhanced biodegradability formula to nylon without losing its features and quality.

Its special composition, under anaerobic landfill conditions will make it easier for bacteria to reach and digest the discarded tights, thus accelerating its biodegradation process.

And so far, it seems their target audience is happy to give their innovative solution the leg-up it needs to kick-start their ambition. 

Their initial Billi London collection launched on the reward based crowdfunding platform Ulule, on May 15th 2020 and reached 100% in 24 hours, meaning they are now a step closer to their long term goal.

Congrats to Sophie and Marie and we look forward to seeing how their biodegradable tights brand continues to grow.


If you like the sound of this startup, you might also want to read up on: 

Stuffstr, an innovative app that is tackling the waste issue within the fashion sector.

Digital supply chain startup, SupplyCompass.

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• #biodegradable
• #fashion
• #sustainability
• #environment
• #clothing

Published on: 21st May 2020