Recycled Polyester Fabrics
Too little recycled materials are used
The polyester yarns woven in our fabrics are made of 100 % Recycled Polyester (rPET).
Only around 2% of input for clothing production comes from recycled materials,
mostly polyester from recycled PET bottles.
(source: A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning fashion’s future, Ellen Mac Arthur Foundation, 28 November 2017)
This increases the price of fabrics because a virgin polyester yarn is cheaper than a recycled one.
Being 100% committed to environment protection means no compromise and to use 100% recycled polyester yarns.
The recycled polyester yarn we use is GRS (Global Recycle Standard) certified. This international, voluntary, full product standard sets requirements for third-party certification of recycled content, chain of custody, social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions.
Recycled bottles are transformed into fibber. The process consists in depolymerizing post-consumer PET back into its original feedstock building block, allowing for the (re)manufacture of PET sustainably.
This forms an important contribution to the reduction of virgin input to the textiles industry and an important proof of concept for the use of recycled materials in clothing. In 2020, recycled polyester represents only 14%¹ of the annual polyester fiber production. That means 86% of new virgin polyester is still annually produced.
GRS certified recycled polyester meaning recycled polyester respecting social and environmental practices and chemical restrictions is a small part of these 14%.
Good to know:
PET
rPET
Synthetic fibbers are the most popular fibers in the world
Virgin polyester is made through a chemical reaction involving coal, petroleum (from crude oil), air and water. In 2019, 34,74⁴ billion barrels of oil were produced [95,2 million barrel per day].
According to A New Textiles Economy Report 2017³, 4% of total oil production is used to produce plastics, of which 25% becomes textiles. Producing plastic-based fibers for textiles uses an estimated 347 million barrels6 of oil every year. Plastic-based fibers are polyester (83%), polyamide (8%), other synthetics (9%)².
That means that approximatively 288 million barrels are needed today just to produce virgin polyester. As a weight of a barrel is 0,136 ton, 39 million tonnes of virgin polyester are yearly produced if we apply these assumptions.
But in fact, a volume of 57.7 million tonnes² of polyester is yearly produced. In 1980, the volume of global polyester production was 5.2 million tons and increased by a factor of 10 in 40 years.
As 1 ton of polyester needs 1,1 ton of oil, it means that 63.5 million tones of oil or 467 million barrels are extracted…
So the range is between 288 million and 467 million barrels. In any case and regardless the chosen assumptions, that’s too many million barrels !
In 2020, recycled polyester represents only 14%² of the annual polyester fiber production. That means 86% of new virgin polyester is still annually produced.
Recycled polyester rPET is a more environmentally sustainable solution to virgin polyester
- it uses between 30 and 50 per cent less energy, reduces the need for primary extraction of crude oil and cuts the amount disposed in landfill.
- it does not need any ton of oil where as 1 tonne of virgin polyester needs 1,1 tonne of oil³. Less extracted oil, more recycled plastic bottles, less bottles in the oceans, more pressure put on big brands to integrate recycled polyester in their collection, one step more to create a virtuous circle.
- our recycled polyester is a mechanically recycled polyester from post consumed bottles. Together we need to continue the move and accelerate the transition. That’s why we only offer fabrics whose polyester is 100% recycled (rPET). Offering a fabric with less than 100% recycled polyester is marketing and promotional strategy.
What is Recycled Polyester rPET ?
Bottles shred into flakes
Flakes melted into palets
Palets extruded in yarns
Yarns woven into fabrics
Karla Magruder
Fabrikology, rPET WG Lead for Textile Exchange
According to CO35 from the Ethical Fashion Forum, the energy required to produce virgin polyester (125 MJ of energy per kilogram produced) and the greenhouse gas emitted (14.2 kg of CO 2 per kilogram produced) make it a high-impact process.
Sources
- https://oecotextiles.blog/2009/07/14/why-is-recycled-polyester-considered-a-sustainable-textile/ ,2009
- Preferred Fiber & Materials Market Report 2020, Textile Exchange, 2020
- A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashions’s Future, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/265203/global-oil-production-since-in-barrels-per-day/ , 2021
- https://www.commonobjective.co/article/fibre-briefing-polyester
What about tiny plastic particles?
rPET or recycled polyester is part of a zero waste and circular economy approach. By the reuse of already produced materials which are otherwise doomed to destruction and therefore the non-generation of virgin polyester from petroleum, it is considered a material serving responsible fashion.
rPET or recycled polyester comes from the recycling of plastic bottles, which pollute the planet, and in particular the oceans.
Organizations have been created and are active in cleaning up the oceans. They work with fishermen to extract the plastic that pollutes the seas and threatens marine biodiversity, in order to recycle it. This recycled plastic can sometimes be transformed into a new garment.
Recycling polyester from waste makes it possible to act already upstream in the chain and reduce the total quantity of polyester produced and oil extracted. In addition, rPET requires 30 to 50% less energy to produce than conventional PET, according to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).
However, we must remain vigilant with our recycled polyester or rPET clothing. We can play a role in the pollution of the oceans by our washing machines. It is a source of pollution that is difficult to quantify. As on a virgin polyester garment, plastic micro-particles can be released during washing and therefore impact the environment.
One solution that we have identified that seems to be effective is the Guppy Friend wash bag. Click on the link to learn good washing tips on how to reduce microplastic shedding
This bag limits friction that can cause pilling and limits the leakage of microfibers into nature.
It is made of 100% undyed polyamide, additive free and recyclable (just remove the zipper before recycling).
Use: Place the recycled polyester clothes in the bag (fill it halfway to the maximum). Gather clothes of the same color preferably and favor a low temperature in order to limit the wear of your clothes.
Available on our shop.
We propose a large choice of recycled polyester rPET fabrics which perfectly fit with your sewing projects
Showing 1–12 of 3102 results
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Biodegradable Polyester Fabric – Jersey Black – “Kylie”
17.90 € / m -
Biodegradable Polyester Fabric – Jersey White – “Kylie”
17.90 € / m -
Biodegradable Polyester Fabric – Jersey White – “Manon”
17.90 € / m -
Custom tapestry printing – 80x120cm – Format A0 – Recycled polyester canvas fabric
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Recycled Biodegradable Polyester Mesh (Yarnaway® yarns)
9.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Neige Écru
17.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Neige Marine
17.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Neige Noir
17.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Neige Rouge
17.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Neige Vert
17.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Noël Ivoire
17.90 € / m -
Recycled Polyester Satin (rPET) – Boules de Noël Marine
17.90 € / m
rPET JERSEY SPORT
amazing in many ways. Stretch fabric,
bi-extensible thanks to its elastane
composition, it fits the body perfectly.
Its anti UV rays (40 SPF) treatment from
the German company Rudolph Group
protects the skin from sun.
- 82% Recycled Polyester rPET
- 18% Lycra®
- 300 gr/sqm
- 150cm width
rPET WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE PUL FABRIC
- 100% Recycled Polyester rPET backed with a waterproof and breathable laminate coating
- 140 g/sqm
- 140 cm width
rPET SATIN
Recycled polyester satin rPET is an alternative to silk satin. A satin pillowcase for some dehydrates less, preserves curly hair and helps prevent split ends. The 5% elastane makes it very pleasant to work and wear.
- 95% Recycled Polyester
- rPET 5% Elastane
- 80 gr/m2
- 145 cm width
rPET WATERPROOF CANVAS
Waterproof and printed with the patterns you have chosen, this is the ideal fabric for interior and exterior projects
- 100% Recycled Polyester rPET
- 270 gr/sqm
- 150cm width
rPET CREPE
- 100% Recycled Polyester
- 110 gr/sqm
- 150 cm width
rPET CHIFFON
- 100% Recycled Polyester rPET
- 81 gr/sqm
- 147 cm width
rPET WATERPROOF OXFORD
Also, we can use it to renew covers for strollers, pushchairs, highchairs or to make new upholstery for in and out.
- 100% Recycled Polyester rPET
- 220 gr/sqm
- 150 cm width