RRR - varsity headwear

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

RRR: A Commitment to Sustainable Style

RRR represents our dedication to minimizing waste and maximizing the lifespan of every Varsity Headwear cap.

Reduce

guides our efforts to use resources efficiently, making choices that lessen environmental impact across design, production, and distribution.

Reuse

emphasizes the importance of giving each cap a longer life through care, repair, and creative repurposing.

Recycle

is our final step, ensuring caps have a responsible end-of-life option, either through recycling facilities or return programs.

Together, these three principles inspire us and our customers to think sustainability about fashion, from the first wear to the last.

If you want to learn more about how sustainability aligns with Varsity Headwear's values, read more here.

REDUCE

Committed to More Sustainable practices

Our commitment to sustainability begins with the design process. We prioritize high-quality, eco-friendly materials to minimize environmental impact while ensuring durability and style. Our goal is to make timeless caps that last, both in style and durability.

Caring for Your Cap: A Sustainable Approach

Choose versatile styles that suit multiple occasions, reducing the need for multiple purchases. Regularly clean and maintain your cap with gentle washing and proper storage. Consider minor repairs instead of replacements. By adopting these practices, you can extend the life of your cap.

The Power of Reuse: Make a Difference

Every small action counts in the effort to reduce waste. While we acknowledge that all consumption has an effect on the planet, we believe in creating high-quality, timeless caps that are made to last. Extending the life of your cap saves resources and supports a more sustainable future. We appreciate your support and encourage mindful choices that balance style and responsibility

REUSE

Extend the life of your cap

Proper care and maintenance can make a world of difference in extending the life of your Varsity Headwear cap. Here's how to keep your cap looking fresh.

1. Spot Clean Regularly

Use a damp cloth and mild detergent to gently remove stains or dirt.

2. Regular cleaning

Washing your cap with mild textile soaps or stain removers helps prolong its lifespan and keeps it looking great. Not all caps are suitable for full submersion in water, so be sure to check the care label for specific instructions. Learn more on how to wash your cap here

3. Avoid Machine Washing

To preserve shape and materials, hand-wash your cap or use a cap-specific cleaning kit.

4. Air Dry Only

Avoid dryers, which can warp the cap. Lay it flat to dry naturally and maintain its structure.

5. Store Safely

Keep your cap in a cool, dry place to prevent discoloration or damage.

6. Avoid squashing your cap

Especially our structured caps should not be squashed or packed into bags. We strongly recommend using a travel case or similar protection when packing these types of caps in your luggage or bag.

Visit our Cap Care Guide to learn more on how to extend the life of your cap

Easy Fixes for Common Cap Wear-and-Tear

Minor repairs can give your cap a prolonged life. Here are some simple tips for restoring your cap at home:

Restitching Loose Threads

Use a needle and thread to secure any loose seams or stitching. Choose a thread color that matches your cap for a seamless look.

Reshaping Front Panels

If the front stiffener in your cap has become misshapen, use a clothing steamer to gently soften the area. Alternatively, hang your cap in the bathroom while running a hot shower to let the steam do the work. Then, use your hands to mold it back into shape, allowing it to cool in the desired form.

Fixing Minor Wear-and-Tear

Small frays can be trimmed carefully with a scissor, and pills can be removed cautiously with a fabric shaver.

Remove Lint and Debris

Use a lint roller or a piece of tape to easily remove lint and small debris from your cap, keeping it looking clean and well-maintained.

With these quick fixes, you can keep your cap in great shape, making it last season after season.

Ideas for reusing your well-worn cap

If your cap isn’t in perfect condition but still wearable, think about using it for practical activities, or get creative with small fixes and decorations to extend its life.

Everyday Workout Cap

Use it as your go-to cap for running, hiking, or the gym, where it’s okay to get a bit sweaty or dirty.

Gardening Cap

Perfect for gardening or yard work, where the cap can handle dirt and sun exposure.

DIY Vintage Look

Embrace the worn-out look by adding a few decorative patches or embroidery for a custom “vintage” or distressed style.

Cover dirt spots or holes

Get creative in restoring your cap by covering marks or tears with embroidery, patches, or pins. Visit a local hobby or craft store to find a wide range of materials perfect for personalizing and repairing your cap.

Hide sweat stains

Add decorative elements to the lower crown to cover set-in sweat stains that are difficult to remove. For example, consider adding a stylish rope along the brim, sewing on beads or sequins, or using textile paint creatively to conceal the area.

Black and white image of wool from fabric

RECYCLE

Recycle with Us: The PANT Project

If your cap has been cherished to the point of being beyond repair, we are happy to recycle it responsibly for you. In October 2021, we launched the PANT Project—a recycling initiative for our customers.

At our Oslo Flagship Store, we collect and deconstruct used caps to recycle the materials effectively. If you're not located in Oslo, we encourage you to explore local recycling options, and below you'll find tips on how to deconstruct your cap yourself and locate a recycling center near you.

Recycling Your Cap: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it's time to say goodbye to your Varsity Headwear cap, recycling is the responsible choice. Follow these simple steps to ensure your cap is recycled properly:

1 Assess the Condition

Determine if your cap is suitable for recycling. If it’s in good condition, consider donating it or passing it on to someone else.

2 Clean Your Cap

Rinse off any dirt or debris to ensure it’s ready for recycling.

3 Identify Material Types

Check the care label on your cap to determine what the materials it’s made of. Below is an overview of common components in most of our caps, in addition to the textile:

  1. Top Button: Iron covered with textile (Normally same as main fabric)

  2. Logo Emblem: Zink

  3. Straps: 100% polyester nylon or leather (Cow hide)

  4. Strap rings: 100% Stainless Steel

  5. Brim: 100% Recycled polyester peak

4 Separate Cap Components for Recycling:

  1. Detach metal parts like the strap rings, logo, and the inside of the top button.

  2. Remove the recycled plastic brim core from the fabric using a seam ripper, knife or scissors.

  3. Sort metal, plastic, and textiles into the proper recycling streams for efficient disposal.

5 Locate a Recycling Facility:

You can search online for recycling centers that accept textiles, plastic, or metal, depending on the components of your cap. Search for 'recycling station' or 'textile recycling' along with your location to find options near you.

To simplify the process, we’ve included links to national recycling websites for Norway, France, the USA, and England, offering a helpful starting point to identify facilities in your area.

Back view of merino wool cap in black and white
Image of sewing thread at fabric