Perry Ellis, CleanHub partner to prevent ocean-bound plastic

Global fashion and lifestyle company Perry Ellis International Inc. (PEI), Miami, has expanded its partnership with CleanHub to include Perry Ellis brand in its effort to remove plastic scrap before it reaches oceans and waterways. The companies say this expansion allows Perry Ellis to dedicate a portion of sales to recover an additional 10,000 pounds of plastic annually.

PEI says the CleanHub partnership is an extension of its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Since April 2022, PEI’s Original Penguin brand has worked with CleanHub, a Berlin-based technology company focused on implementing recovery solutions across Asia and Africa and, to date, the Original Penguin partnership has led to the collection of nearly 25,000 pounds of plastic.

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“At Perry Ellis International, we recognize the critical threat that plastic pollution poses to the health of our oceans and ecosystems,” PEI CEO Oscar Feldenkreis says. “Expanding our collaboration with CleanHub enables us to take tangible action and drive meaningful impact alongside our consumers in preserving the planet for future generations.”

PEI says the partnership will support its overall objective to take responsibility for its plastic scrap and combat plastic pollution globally, adding that its efforts will enable complete transparency into the plastic recovery and recycling processes, ensuring the company’s plastic footprint is effectively managed and mitigated. Instead of plastic eventually degrading into harmful microplastics that pollute marine environments, the company says the collected material will be provided a second life through responsible recycling and repurposing.

“Perry Ellis is an excellent example of a company taking proactive steps to care for our planet,” says CleanHub co-founder and co-CEO Joel Tasche. “We’re excited to partner with Perry Ellis in our ongoing effort to prevent plastic from entering the oceans. With their partnership, we’re set to make an even greater impact.”