THIS week, Chipotle launched Chipotle Goods, a line of “responsibly sourced” and upcycled clothing and accessories, including T-shirts, leggings, hoodies, bomber jackets, gym bags, hats, phone cases and baby blankets.

One part of the responsible equation is that almost everything is made with organic cotton from Loomstate, save for a few items in recycled polyester, and all proceeds will benefit organizations focused on sustainable fashion or farming. More novel is the upcycled component: Most of the cotton pieces were naturally dyed using avocado pits from Chipotle restaurants. The chain accumulates 300 million pits ever year. Avocado pits create a pinkish dye, and the process is simpler than you think: Boil them in a pot of water, and within a few minutes, the water turns pink. The color darkens the longer the pits steep, and once a desired color is reached, fabric can be submerged for a few hours or overnight. Every item is one-of-a-kind and has slight variations in color; sometimes avocado pits create more of a peachy shade, or they’ll steep a bright, clear pink.

This collection diverts food from landfills, but as far as textile waste is concerned, perhaps Chipotle’s next move would be to partner with an indie designer to dye their deadstock fabrics or past-season garments. (SD-Agencies)

(SD-Agencies)