Frequently Asked Questions
"Circular Cashback"

Once you've worn out your circular product, you can send it back to us. To do this, scan the QR code on the label or visit the "Circular Cashback" Portal. We will buy back your product. For example, for a circular T-shirt costing 79.90 CHF, this would be a maximum of 20 CHF. You will receive 10 CHF for the material of the T-shirt and a maximum of 10 CHF for having worn the T-shirt for a long time. The longer you have worn and cared for it, the more you get back. You will also receive a return shipping label from us.

No, we will send you a return shipping label when you return the item.

"Circular Cashback" means that we buy back all our circular products to reuse them in a closed loop. The aim is to avoid waste and to constantly reuse raw materials. This is also the name we chose for the buy-back system, where we pay you back a maximum of 25% of the sales price for circular NIKIN products.

You receive a fixed amount for each new year started. For example, for a T-shirt, it's a total of CHF 10, distributed over 5 years. That's CHF 2 per year. You are first entitled to this after one year from the date of sale, and then as soon as at least 6 months of a year have passed. For example, if you bought a T-shirt on November 15, 2024, and want to return it on September 10, 2026, you have worn the T-shirt for over 1.5 years and will receive CHF 4 back, in addition to the CHF 10 for the material of the T-shirt. However, if you want to return the T-shirt on February 20, 2026, then 1.5 years have not yet passed, and you are entitled to CHF 2 for wearing it for one year.

If the circular product breaks within the first few days or months, for example, because you accidentally tore it while hiking, you can send it back to us. In this case, we will pay you for the material and thus buy it back from you. However, you will only receive money for long-term wear after one year. We also encourage everyone to wear and care for their products, including circular products such as T-shirts, hoodies, winter hats, or socks, for as long as possible.

This is a new model, and we need to build it in such a way that we can be profitable and scalable in the long term. Our goal is to eventually replace all standard products with circular products. If the discount were too high, we would earn too little, and it would also be unattractive price-wise for other retailers or unprofitable for us. We have therefore programmed our online shop so that general discount codes are not applicable to circular products. Please note that on Black Friday weekend 2025, we offered a limited 100% "Circular Cashback" promotion on circular winter hats. This was a one-time promotion and not a discount on the product itself.

For accounting and legal reasons, the right to repurchase by NIKIN, or resale by the person who bought the product, expires after 5 years. However, it is absolutely in our interest that the product is worn for as long as possible, and the quality of the products is also high enough that they can be worn for more than 5 years. Therefore, everyone has the right to contact us, even after 5 years, and in the spirit of sustainability and circular economy, we plan to be accommodating.

You can follow the normal process as if you had bought it directly from NIKIN. This means you can also scan the QR code on the label or visit the "Circular Cashback" Portal.

No, there isn't. If the entire product, e.g., the T-shirt, is returned, no matter how damaged it is (e.g., in the form of tears), we will take it back. However, if a large piece of the fabric is missing (at least 10% of the total fabric), e.g., both sleeves of a T-shirt or one part of a pair of socks is completely missing, then we reserve the right to reduce the amount to be paid at our discretion.

The product is checked by in-house experts. Furthermore, we can also check the edition using the serial number located inside.

We have set up the model in such a way that we can implement it long-term and for all circular products. We firmly believe that this will ensure that the material is returned and, at the same time, we can extend the existing lifecycles of products and materials through financial incentivization.

The standard warranty, as with non-circular products, naturally also applies to circular products.

The T-shirt made from naNea, which we launched in early 2023, was our first step towards circular fashion. At that time, the take-back process involved industrial composting. Now, the product is taken back and then recycled together with other naNea products and processed into a new yarn that has the same quality as the original fiber. In addition, our comprehensive "Circular Cashback" program is new, making the return and recycling of the T-shirts even more attractive. With this program, we ensure that the materials remain in the loop and can be processed into new products again and again.

naNea is an innovative, biodegradable co-polyester specially developed for the circular economy and the textile industry. It can be recycled repeatedly without loss of quality. It was developed by OceanSafe AG from Bern.

As a synthetic fiber, naNea is currently still produced from petroleum-based raw materials, as OceanSafe wanted to quickly offer a solution to the challenges of the textile industry and recycled materials were not yet available in industrial quantities during development. Furthermore, the current material offers consistently high quality, which contributes to an extended lifespan of the textiles and brings joy for longer! However, OceanSafe is now placing great emphasis on also producing naNea from recycled materials in the future. Your returned shirts will contribute to this after their useful life.

naNea is proven to decompose by over 93% in seawater within 99 days, according to the ASTM D6691 standard. This biodegradability is the result of naNea's special polymer structure, which does not require the use of additives or enzymes. The material is designed to be inherently biodegradable. Crucially, naNea contains no toxic substances or harmful microparticles that could be released during decomposition. The material is biodegradable not only in the sea, but also in soil and landfill environments.

During degradation, naNea breaks down into natural components such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. These degradation products occur naturally in the environment, are not ecotoxic, and do not cause environmental pollution. It is important to note that naNea leaves no harmful residues like heavy metals or toxic chemicals, which are often found in conventional polyester fibers. Thanks to its Cradle to Cradle Gold™ certification, the material is safe for both biological and technical cycles, even after its use.

naNea is the world's first synthetic fiber to receive Cradle to Cradle Gold™ certification. Particularly noteworthy is that naNea is the only material in this category to achieve Cradle to Cradle Platinum rating in the "Material Health" category – naNea is free of toxic ingredients and heavy metals. What makes naNea truly unique is its ability to biodegrade by over 93% in the ocean within just 99 days. This makes it one of the few synthetic fibers that meet strict biodegradability requirements. But the most impressive feature of naNea for us is its recyclability. The fiber can be recycled again and again with consistent quality.
For example, an old naNea t-shirt can be chemically recycled into new polymer, which is then spun into yarn, which can in turn be processed into a new product – such as another t-shirt. In this way, the material always remains in a closed loop and avoids waste, while at the same time conserving natural resources.

Yes, but not yet on a large scale. The recycling processes have already been successfully tested several times on a small scale by our partner OceanSafe. So far, however, we have not yet collected enough returned T-shirts to apply these processes on a large scale. We have been offering our innovative naNea T-shirt since 2023, and unfortunately, no T-shirt has been returned by November 2024. But we are confident that the return rate will increase with the new "Circular Cashback" program, and we will be able to recycle returned circular items for the first time in the coming years.

NIKIN expects that margins for circular products may initially be somewhat lower compared to conventional products, as the introduction of a new business model and the implementation of recycling and return processes require financial and time investments. In the long term, however, an improvement in margins is expected, as material costs will be reduced through the closed-loop system and the efficiency of processes will increase.

NIKIN is not seeking monetary investments, but is always open to partnerships that promote the development and scaling of the circular model. We already work with partners such as OceanSafe and NOOSA®, and are interested in further collaborations that support our goal of a beautiful natural environment and a sustainable fashion world. Interested companies can contact our team directly.

NIKIN plans to increase sales through various measures, including targeted marketing campaigns, educating customers about the benefits of circular products, expanding the product portfolio with additional circular items, and introducing incentives for customers to wear their clothes longer and return them. In addition, NIKIN will continue to enter into partnerships and collaborations with other sustainable brands and organizations, as was the case with NOOSA® in 2025.

NOOSA® is an innovative textile fiber based on polylactic acid (PLA), derived from plant-based sugars (e.g., from corn). It is fully recyclable, durable, and contains no toxic additives or permanent microplastics. The fiber was developed for closed material cycles and can be reused in new fibers through the NOOCYCLE® process.

NOOSA® is made from sugar plants (e.g. corn). The sugar is fermented, processed into lactic acid and then polymerized into PLA. The entire process is based on renewable raw materials.

NOOSA® fibers (PLA) fully decompose under the influence of moisture (hydrolysis), forming water-soluble molecules such as lactic acid, which are then broken down by microorganisms into CO₂, water, and biomass. This has been proven in a meta-study.

NOOSA® offers a variety of advantages over traditional materials such as cotton or polyester. The fiber is designed to be fully circular and can be recycled repeatedly with consistent quality using the NOOCYCLE® process – without material loss or quality degradation. NOOSA® is made from plant-based raw materials like corn and has an ecological footprint that is around 50% smaller compared to conventional cotton – particularly with regard to CO₂ emissions, water consumption, and energy use.
Furthermore, NOOSA® does not produce permanent microplastics, which has been confirmed by independent studies – a key advantage in view of upcoming EU regulations on microplastic. In terms of durability, the fiber also impresses with high tear resistance and dimensional stability, which extends the lifespan of products. NOOSA® also meets the requirements of the EU Ecodesign Regulation (ESPR) and is ready for the upcoming Digital Product Passport system, making it a future-proof material for sustainable fashion.

OceanSafe is a company specializing in the development and manufacture of sustainable textiles. They focus on materials that are fully recyclable and biodegradable.

NOOSA® is a company specializing in the development of innovative, plant-based fibers for the textile industry. Their materials are fully recyclable, biodegradable, and do not cause permanent microplastics. With their closed-loop recycling process, NOOCYCLE®, they enable true circular economy – from production to the end of a product's life.

Cradle to Cradle certification evaluates products based on their environmental friendliness and circularity. It ensures that materials can be safely reused or recycled without generating waste. Our circular t-shirts and hoodies made from naNea material are Cradle to Cradle certified.

OceanSafe and NOOSA® are among the few providers of a marketable circular fiber. OceanSafe, or naNea, is also a Swiss innovation from a company that will continue to promote sustainable textile production in the future and drive the development of fully circular fibers and products. NOOSA® comes from Belgium, and we have been working on a collaboration since 2024. They have even visited us in person at our office in Switzerland.

NIKIN wants to bring about real change in the fashion industry and prove that fashion can be sustainable, innovative, and future-oriented at the same time. We have set ourselves the goal of offering only circular products by 2030 – meaning garments that remain in a closed loop. In 2024, we launched our first circular T-shirts and hoodies made from naNea material and introduced the "Circular Cashback" model. In 2025, we expanded our product range with winter hats and socks made from the plant-based NOOSA® material, taking the next step towards a circular textile world.

The circular economy reduces waste, conserves resources, and promotes the sustainable use of materials. Customers benefit from durable products and a financial incentive for sustainable behavior.

NIKIN is planning further product launches using circular materials and is working on new business models.

For NIKIN, circular economy means creating products that do not harm nature and remain in a closed loop. The focus is on extending their lifespan, for example through repair. Only at the very end is a product either composted or recycled, without losing quality. Our goal is to make all our products fully circular by 2030, thereby actively contributing to a more sustainable world and a cleaner environment.

This depends on the product. For the T-shirt, you receive CHF/€ 10 for the material of your old T-shirt and up to an additional CHF/€ 10, depending on how long you have worn and cared for it. For the socks, you receive CHF/€ 3 for the material and up to an additional CHF/€ 7 for wearing them. For all other products, you can find this information on the respective product pages.

The financial incentive is designed to motivate customers to wear their products for as long as possible and to care for them carefully. By extending the lifespan of products, we reduce the need for new production and thus our ecological footprint. This supports our mission to minimize waste and protect nature. Furthermore, our experience and that of other apparel brands show that without financial incentives, the barrier for many customers to return products is too high.

No, there is no penalty if you don't return or sell the product back to us. However, in this case, you will not receive the material value (e.g., 10 CHF/€ for a t-shirt) or the additional reward for wearing the product for a long time. Our goal is to take back as many products as possible for recycling and to keep them in circulation.

NIKIN is committed to offering 100% circular products by 2030. We rely on materials like naNea or NOOSA® that can be fully recycled and develop take-back programs like "Circular Cashback" to ensure that materials are returned to the production cycle. Furthermore, we are working on other projects such as the development of a circular shoe with Ochsner Shoes, the take-back of old (even non-circular) clothing with Turns, and more.

All returned products made from naNea material undergo a Cradle to Cradle certified recycling process, carried out in collaboration with our partner OceanSafe. OceanSafe ensures that new yarn is created from these materials, from which new products can be made. For products made from NOOSA®, the Belgian company itself takes back the materials and ensures they are recycled.

Yes, this is the case for naNea articles: Our take-back system is based on a Cradle to Cradle-certified recycling process, carried out in collaboration with our partner OceanSafe. This certification ensures that returned products can be fully and environmentally friendly recycled and remain in the loop. OceanSafe ensures that new yarn is made from the materials, which is then used to manufacture new products. Through this strict certification and regular review, we ensure that our take-back system remains sustainable and environmentally friendly. For NOOSA®, there is currently no official certification such as Cradle to Cradle. However, the company has had its recycling processes – particularly the NOOCYCLE® process – independently audited and its environmental friendliness scientifically proven. The recovery of over 99% of the material and the use of safe, reused solvents demonstrate that the system meets the highest environmental standards.

Not at the moment, but NIKIN has set itself the goal of measuring and continuously reducing the company's entire carbon footprint. Reducing CO2 emissions is an important part of our sustainability goals. However, as our resources are limited, we have currently decided to focus more on the development of circular products and business models. We believe that promoting the circular economy will lead to a significant reduction in environmental impact in the long term, as it reduces waste, conserves resources, and minimizes the need for new raw materials.

Yes, the circular economy is generally more sustainable, even when considering transport and recycling energy. By closing the material loop, raw materials are saved, and the production of new materials is minimised. In addition, OceanSafe, among others, is constantly working to improve the energy efficiency of recycling processes and relies on renewable energies (at least 50% in each part of the supply chain) to further reduce the ecological footprint. Despite the necessary transport routes and energy consumption, the circular economy is a significantly more environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional linear economy.