Earth day is every day at Twisted X Global Brands (TXGB), makers of Twisted X, Black Star, and Wrangler footwear. The Decatur, TX-based company is eight years deep in its constant pursuit to better its sustainability score across all facets of its business. That spans materials, manufacturing processes, eliminating single-use plastics in the home office, and everywhere and anywhere in between.
“We don’t consider Earth Day or Earth Month to be just a single day or month of celebration, because this is what we do 365 days of the year,” says TXGB CEO Prasad Reddy, adding that the company’s sustainability initiatives are introduced whenever they are ready, not just in April. “We don’t do it for the press, although we do appreciate any press we get as that will hopefully bring other brands into the foray and help the environment overall.”
On that note, Reddy wants Twisted X to be knocked off when it comes to its sustainability efforts. “Whenever we do something, we want to show it to others so they can also benefit from it,” he says. “We want to share all our efforts within the footwear industry, as well as any consumer goods industry. It’s for the good of the planet, so we don’t keep them proprietary to ourselves.”
TXGB’s green resume is extensive. It spans the incorporation of renewable and recyclable natural materials—such as merino wool, cork, molasses, bamboo, algae, and rice husk—into various designs. In addition, its ecoTWX fabric is made of upcycled plastic bottles salvaged from landfills and oceans. Each pair is made of 13 bottles and, to date, more than 75 million bottles have been used. Then there’s the launch of its Zero X collection, in 2021, which is a unique, no-glue stitch construction.
Last but not all, TXGB recently rolled out its Circular Project, a new collection featuring midsoles and outsoles made from reground factory scraps that would have otherwise ended up in landfills. Each pair utilizes up to 85 percent excess foam scraps (Consumers can also return their worn-out Circular Project shoes to be reground.) “Whenever they’re ready to throw them out, we’ll recycle it into other products to continue its life cycle,” Reddy says, adding, “Someday, we hope all products can be recycled and not go into landfills or harm the environment. That’s what we keep striving for: to keep the planet as green as possible.”
That circles back to Reddy’s belief that when it comes to sustainability, there is always room for improvement. “Our goal is to keep on doing what’s right for the planet, our products, and our company,” he says. “Sustainability is an ongoing process for us; there’s no start and stop point. We must consider everything and aim for continuous improvements.” Reddy adds, “We must keep our planet clean for future generations and leave it better than we found it.”
