Is Recycled Polyester Sustainable? Pros, Cons & Better Alternatives
Recycled Polyester: The Good, the Bad & the Hard Truth
Recycled polyester is often presented as the sustainable alternative. But is it really that eco‑friendly? We explore the benefits, the hidden downsides, and the better options.
What is recycled polyester?
Recycled polyester (rPET) is usually made from collected PET bottles. These are cleaned, shredded, and melted into yarn that ultimately becomes clothing and sports textiles. It sounds like a circular solution, but reality is less sustainable than it seems.
The benefits of recycled polyester
- Less waste: plastic bottles don’t end up in the ocean or landfills.
- Lower energy impact: 33–53% less energy use than virgin polyester.
- Fewer fossil fuels: existing plastic gets a second life.
The hard truth behind recycled polyester
1. New plastic for “recycled” textiles
Much rPET doesn’t come from old clothing but from bottles produced specifically to be recycled. This means new plastic production still takes place. What’s more, many garments labeled rPET still contain 50–70% virgin polyester to maintain quality.
2. Mixed fibers make recycling harder
Most clothing made from (recycled) polyester isn’t recyclable again, because it’s often blended with materials like elastane or nylon. These fiber mixes make separation and reprocessing nearly impossible, which means the garment still ends up as waste.
3. Not infinitely recyclable
Each time polyester is recycled, the fiber weakens. Manufacturers therefore need to add new polyester. True textile‑to‑textile recycling is hardly feasible at scale.
4. Microplastics: a silent disaster
With every wash, polyester fibers shed microplastics—recycled or not. A single wash can release up to 700,000 microfibers into the water. Research suggests that rPET may even break down faster and potentially shed more microplastics.
5. Polluting production
Producing polyester is energy‑intensive and polluting. In China it’s sometimes even made from coal, leading to additional CO₂ emissions. On top of that, virgin polyester remains cheaper, making rPET a commercial second choice.
Alternatives to polyester
Fortunately, there are more sustainable choices, including natural materials and innovative fibers:
- Organic cotton
- Hemp
- TENCEL™ Lyocell (eucalyptus‑based)
- Bio‑based polyamide EVO
- Cradle‑to‑cradle elastane Roica V550
What can you do as a consumer?
- Buy less and choose quality, slow fashion.
- Choose natural fibers that don’t shed microplastics.
- Be critical of brands’ greenwashing claims.
- Support brands that are transparent about their production.
Conclusion
Recycled polyester has advantages, but it’s no silver bullet. It often depends on new plastic, causes microplastics, and remains polluting to produce. The real step toward sustainability lies in more mindful consumption and in choosing materials that are truly circular and environmentally friendly.
Discover sustainable alternatives in our sportswear collection and make a conscious choice for yourself and the planet.