Berlin - Outdoor clothing and equipment manufacturers are increasingly turning to recycled materials to make products such as rucksacks from fishing nets or jackets made of plastic bottles.

Experiments with recycled fleece jackets began at the beginning of the 1990s. However, the materials produced were very hard. New manufacturing techniques have led to greater acceptance from consumers. Shredded plastic bottles can be used to make the basic material for the thin synthetic fibres used as thread.

The "Outdoor" trade fair held in Friedrichshafen, Germany in mid-July displayed the first jackets that have been completely made out of recycled polyester as well as bags and backpacks with linings made from old plastic bottles. (dpa)