How Triarchy Is Pioneering Plastic-Free (And Biodegradeable) Denim

Triarchy, a family-owned business, was born from the collective passion of two brothers and their sister, driven by an unwavering commitment to transform the denim industry, one pair of a jeans at a time. | Triarchy

In an industry dominated by fast fashion and environmental challenges, Adam Taubenfligel, Co-Founder, Creative Director and Responsibility Lead at Triarchy, has taken a radically different path. His denim brand isn’t just about making jeans—it’s about reshaping the industry through sustainability and transparency.

Pioneering Plastic-Free Stretch Denim

“The most exciting thing to share since we last spoke is that Triarchy has introduced the world’s first and only plastic-free stretch denim, of which we have exclusivity in North America,” Taubenfligel said.

 Adam Taubenfligel, Co-Founder, Creative Director and Responsibility Lead at Triarchy

This innovation is more than just a breakthrough—it’s a necessary disruption, significant because we’ve come to expect stretch in our jeans. The truth is, that stretch denim as we know it has always relied on crude oil-based plastics to create elasticity. Every wash sheds microplastics, contributing to the alarming statistic that each of us ingests an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 microplastics per year. Worse still, when these garments reach the end of their life, they take up to 200 years to decompose, leaching toxins into the environment.

Triarchy refused to be part of this cycle. “In 2018, we discontinued the use of plastics in our materials,” he explained. That meant eliminating stretch denim from their collections—a tough decision, but a necessary one. “It felt disingenuous to celebrate our sustainable dyes and washes while applying them to plastic-based pants. To me, it was like using non-toxic paint on a wall made of asbestos—who cares about the paint?”

Determined to find a better solution, Taubenfligel partnered with renowned Italian denim mill Candiani to develop a groundbreaking alternative. The result? The world’s first and only plastic-free stretch denim, created through years of rigorous research and development. “It was a process of trial and error, as you can imagine, but it allowed us to bring to market an organic alternative to crude oil-based stretch fabrics,” Taubenfligl added.

From Jeans to Tomatoes: A New Era of Biodegradability

At the heart of this innovation is a fabric composed of regenerative cotton and natural rubber yarn. Not only does it match the stretch and comfort of traditional denim, but it also biodegrades in under two years under the right conditions—compared to the 200 years required for conventional stretch jeans.

But Taubenfligel and his team took it one step further. Working with the Italian regenerative farm Quinto Sapore, they shredded plastic-free stretch denim and used it as compost to grow tomatoes. And here’s where it gets really interesting. What they discovered is that as this material biodegrades, it contributes to soil health. The shredded material not only supported plant growth but also retained water in the soil, allowing the crops to thrive with less water.

“We harvested these tomatoes, turned them into tomato sauce, and served it as the main course at dinner during the Green Carpet Fashion Awards during Oscars week in LA last year,” Taubenfligel recalled. Among the guests? Industry heavyweights like Donatella Versace and Zendaya. “I never imagined Donatella Versace eating our jeans,” he joked, “but what I did aspire to was creating jeans that offer all the benefits we’ve come to expect without the harmful side effects.”

“Of course, we don’t expect you to shred and compost your jeans when you’re done with them. We want you to love them and wear them for as long as possible. But the point is this: by refusing to accept the status quo, we can uncover solutions that lead to entirely unexpected outcomes, such as tomatoes,” he added.

The message is clear: everything we create will eventually return to the earth. The goal is to ensure that it happens in a way that nurtures the planet rather than harming it.

The Power of Asking: #HowMuchPlasticAreYouWearing?

Taubenfligel is not just innovating materials—he’s shifting mindsets. “How much plastic are you wearing?” is a question designed to make people think differently about their clothing choices. Before introducing plastic-free stretch denim, Triarchy used to ask, "How much water are you wearing?"—an equally important question.

“Most mornings, people unknowingly put on garments that represent thousands of gallons of water and a barrel of crude oil,” he explained. “Framing your clothing in this context can inspire a shift in perspective.” By checking content labels and supporting brands committed to sustainability, consumers can wield their purchasing power to drive change.

Radical Transparency: A New Industry Standard

Since launching Triarchy with his brother and sister, Taubenfligel has focused on not just making better jeans, but also proving their impact. Everything the brand produces is verified by third-party auditor Renoon, and all manufacturing metrics are transparently shared via QR codes embedded in each garment. Customers can scan these codes to view their jeans' environmental footprint, as well as the carbon offset projects Triarchy supports to maintain carbon neutrality.

“This level of transparency is crucial,” he emphasized. “It ensures customers can trust that no greenwashing is happening within the brand.”

Changing The Industry, One Pair At A Time

The response from both industry insiders and customers has been overwhelmingly positive. “My approach to design is rooted in the belief that everything I create should never become future garbage,” Taubenfligel stated. This philosophy means Triarchy customers invest in pieces with purpose and designed for longevity—garments that can be repaired, passed on, or eventually biodegrade without harm.

The goal is to design and craft pieces people can treasure for a lifetime— versatile enough to repair or pass on when the time comes. This thoughtful approach honors not just the planet, but also the people who wear our jeans and their wallets. Fewer, better pieces are always the wisest and most sustainable choice.

Through relentless innovation and a commitment to radical transparency, Triarchy is proving that fashion doesn’t have to come at the cost of the planet. By asking the right questions—and refusing to accept the status quo—Taubenfligel is leading the industry toward a more sustainable future, one pair of jeans at a time.