Textile manufacturer Yeşim Group, a core production partner for Nike, Under Armour and other global sportswear brands, has received triple recognition at the 2025 Just Style Excellence Awards for its Ecollectiv initiative.
The project was recognised in the Environmental, Diversity and Social categories for uniting circular textile innovation with women’s empowerment in Türkiye.
Circular upcycling, locally done
At its Bursa production hub, Ecollectiv captures textile waste – including fabric scraps and yarn remnants – and upcycles it into handcrafted items such as bags, baskets and pet beds. All sorting, transformation and sales occur within the same community, so as to reduce transport emissions and generate local economic value.
Empowering women
The initiative collaborates with the Karapınar Women’s Cooperative and the Uludağ Soroptimist Club, employing over 100 women and generating 220,250 Turkish lira (€4,548) in direct income to date. Participants receive training in gender equality and legal rights, while the cooperative retains full ownership of its output. This makes Ecollectiv a replicable social business model.
Industry relevance
The recognition underscores Yeşim’s growing influence as a sustainability leader in the global sporting goods supply chain. With major brands seeking to reduce Scope 3 emissions and demonstrate responsible sourcing, Yeşim’s model offers a practical blueprint for integrating circularity and inclusivity into large-scale manufacturing.
For performance and athleisure brands such as Nike and Under Armour, Yeşim’s achievements help strengthen ESG credentials and reduce supply-chain risks tied to waste and labor practices. As consumer and regulatory scrutiny rises, supplier initiatives like Ecollectiv are reshaping how sustainability metrics flow up the value chain.
Leadership view
Selim Şankaya, Co-CEO of Yeşim Group: “Our project proves that sustainability is not only about materials but about people and inclusion. As a partner to the world’s top sportswear and fashion brands, we see it as our duty to lead by example and scale this positive impact.”
About Yeşim Group
Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Bursa, Yeşim Group operates large-scale integrated facilities in Türkiye, Egypt and Moldova. The company’s clients include Nike, Under Armour, Zara, Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger, and it runs an R&D center for recycled and smart fabrics.
