Two ways to leave no trace
A flag that biodegrades, or a flag with no plastic in it at all. Here is how both work, and the test data behind them.
Are biodegradable flags actually biodegradable?
Ours are, and here is the test data. A CiCLO® Better Flag is polyester enhanced with CiCLO®, an additive built into the fibre itself. It doesn't wash out, and it only activates once the fibres reach an environment full of microbes — soil, landfill, seawater or wastewater. Independent laboratories measured how far it goes using the recognised ASTM methods:
biodegradation in natural seawater after ~1,362 days (ASTM D6691)
biodegradation in soil after ~1,171 days (ASTM D5988)
biodegradation in anaerobic landfill conditions after ~1,278 days (ASTM D5511)
biodegradation in wastewater sludge after ~952 days (ASTM D5210)
Two things that does not mean. A biodegradable flag will not fall apart while it flies — a CiCLO® Better Flag lasts the same 2–5 years outdoors as a conventional polyester one, because the additive only does anything where microbes are. And CiCLO®-enhanced polyester is still polyester: it is petroleum-based, made from a non-renewable resource. For a flag with no plastic in it at all, choose Hemptex® hemp.
And the flag with no plastic at all
Hemptex® is the world's first flag textile made of hemp. It is a natural fibre, so there is nothing to biodegrade away: no polyester, no additive, no microplastics, ever. When a Hemptex® flag is finally retired, it leaves nothing behind but better soil.
The hemp is ethically sourced from smallholder farmers in Uttarakhand, India, woven into a dense 150 g/m² textile and printed double-sided with pigment inks by Hollanders Printing Solutions in the Netherlands. The result is a flag that prints matte, holds its colours in the fibre and has a higher UV resistance than polyester. Every Better Flag, custom or ready-to-buy, is available in Hemptex®.
Our Commitment
Microplastic pollution is one of the defining challenges of our time and we refuse to accept its persistence. Better Flags uses groundbreaking fabric technology and the oldest textile fibre in the world to directly address this issue, setting a new standard for the sustainable flag industry.
Our Supply Chain
Building the world's most responsible flag supply chain meant partnering exclusively with Europe's most advanced textile innovators for CiCLO®, and with the farmers who grow our hemp; ensuring fair wages, minimal transport impact, and full traceability from fibre to finish.
Sourcing
Every CiCLO® Better Flag begins in Germany, where Georg+Otto Friedrich, Europe's leading manufacturer of warp-knitted textiles, spins recycled PET into high-performance biodegradable polyester. It is at this stage that the fibre is enhanced with CiCLO®, a patented additive that allows polyester to break down under real-world conditions.
CiCLO: A Revolutionary Fiber Treatment
All CiCLO® materials used in Better Flags are OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certified, REACH compliant, and verified non-toxic to marine and plant ecosystems - a combination of certifications rarely achieved together in synthetic textiles. The chemistry is embedded directly into the fiber without added coatings or finishes.
Hemp from the foot of the Himalayas
Every Hemptex® flag begins in Uttarakhand, India, where smallholder farming families grow hemp the way they have for generations. We source there deliberately: it keeps a traditional, regenerative crop alive, supports rural communities and gives young people a reason to stay. The fibre is woven into a dense 150 g/m² textile before it travels to the Netherlands.
Printing
Hemptex® flags and small CiCLO® runs are printed by Hollanders Printing Solutions in the Netherlands, pioneers in sustainable textile printing. Hemp is printed double-sided with pigment inks; this method minimises water use, avoids toxic dyes and produces vibrant, long-lasting colours. For larger CiCLO® runs, printing and assembly take place at FAHNENGÄRTNER in Austria, a third-generation family company.
"The entire production—from sustainable printing and high-quality assembly to packaging and shipping—takes place within the EU. We work closely for this with our partner FAHNENGÄRTNER, a third-generation family company with 80+ years of expertise in flag production."
Production: Transparently made in Europe
Across all partners, production remains local, transparent, and fully made in Europe. From spinning to printing to final assembly, every step occurs within a short, efficient supply chain connected entirely by land transport. This approach reduces emissions, ensures fair labor standards, and maintains full oversight of environmental impact.
Environmental Impact
Each purchase contributes to a cleaner future by reducing microplastic pollution, supporting fair work, and advancing responsible textile innovation.
min biodegradationreached by CiCLO® fabrics.
of ocean microplastics come from synthetic textiles
plastic in a Hemptex® flag. A natural fibre from field to mast.
This is how you make a difference
Not all flags are created equal. See how choosing CiCLO®-enhanced polyester or natural Hemptex® hemp helps cut microplastic pollution and sets a new sustainability standard.
Standard Polyester Flags
A single flag can lose around 25% of its weight, releasing up to 8.3 g of microplastic
Made from virgin, petroleum-based polyester
Persists for decades after disposal
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Better Flags with CiCLO®
Designed to perform like traditional polyester but break down naturally after use.
Made from recycled PET enhanced with CiCLO® technology
90 to 94% biodegradation in independent ASTM lab tests, after about 952 to 1,362 days
Certified by OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT and REACH for safe chemistry
Better Flags with Hemptex®
100% nature, 0% plastic. The premium, regenerative flag.
Natural hemp textile, completely free of microplastics
Regenerative crop, ethically sourced from smallholder farmers
Printed double-sided with pigment inks, higher UV resistance than polyester
1% for the Planet. 100% for Positive Change.
As proud members of 1% for the Planet, we donate a portion of every sale to environmental causes — ensuring our commitment to sustainability goes beyond materials.
Built to Last
From weaving in Germany and printing in the Netherlands to assembly in Austria, every stage of production is transparent and documented, for CiCLO® and Hemptex® alike.
Sustainable and Traceable
CiCLO®-enhanced polyester sourced exclusively from European suppliers. Hemptex® hemp ethically sourced from smallholder farmers in Uttarakhand, India.
Planet Friendly
Once discarded, CiCLO® flags biodegrade naturally: 90 to 94% in independent ASTM lab tests, after about 952 to 1,362 days. Hemptex® flags contain no plastic at all and leave nothing behind but better soil.
Awarded & Certified
Better Flags materials meet global standards for environmental responsibility. CiCLO® carries OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT certification; Hemptex® is a 100% natural fibre.
