Earlier this year, four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel joined Swiss clothing brand Neumühle for a special lesson at a Swiss school. The topic? Circularity, the idea that products should be designed to be reused or recycled instead of thrown away.

Standing at the front of the classroom, Vettel and Neumühle’s co-founder Andreas Fehr introduced themselves before diving into the discussion. Fehr started by explaining the difference between a linear economy (where things are made, used, and discarded) and a circular one (where waste is minimized by turning old products into new materials). The students listened with curiosity as he broke down concepts like “Cradle to Cradle,” mono-materiality (using just one type of material for easier recycling), and the impact of consumer habits.

Then, Vettel took over. He talked about hydropower as a clean energy source before explaining why he was there in the first place.

“I’ve known Andreas for years and admire his forward-thinking approach,” Vettel said. “Circularity is about turning old products back into valuable resources instead of waste. That’s why I support this mission.”

One example of this mission in action is Neumühle’s Mono Shirt, a T-shirt made entirely from natural fibers, with no synthetic materials in the seams, collar, or even the thread. It’s designed to be recycled without taking it apart. When you’re done with it, Neumühle takes it back, turns it into new yarn, and gives you a discount on your next purchase.

It’s a small but meaningful step toward a more sustainable future, one where fashion doesn’t have to cost the planet. And with voices like Vettel’s helping spread the word, the next generation might just grow up thinking differently about what they wear.

More at www.neumuhle.ch

 

Photography: Orel Communication
Visual AI generated by Pascale Weber