Polyester vs. Recycled Polyester: Which is More Sustainable?

Final Up to date on April 10, 2025

You’ve most likely heard of polyester cloth earlier than: It’s generally used to make garments and residential furnishings. However what’s it and the way does it examine to recycled polyester? Which is extra sustainable? 

Personally, I attempt to go for pure fibers each time I can. Artificial supplies shed microplastics over time, aren’t as sturdy, and might’t be composted on the finish of their life. Plus, I don’t actually like how artificial supplies really feel on my pores and skin. 

Nevertheless, there are particular gadgets which can be more durable to seek out synthetic-free, like athletic-wear and interval underwear. These clothes gadgets have a tendency to wish synthetics to supply stretchability and improve efficiency.  

After I first began going zero waste, I needed to stay a very plastic free life-style, even freed from recycled plastic. However then I began studying much more about recycled plastic supplies, emissions and searching on the larger image. 

Recycling plastic, like recycled polyester, positively has its place within the sustainability motion. In the event you’re questioning which is healthier for the surroundings, right here’s every thing it’s essential to know. 

what’s polyester? 

Polyester is an artificial cloth constructed from petroleum-based chemical compounds, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Petroleum (aka crude oil) is a non-renewable materials that’s usually extracted from the earth unsustainably. 

To create virgin polyester, 70 million barrels of oil are used yearly, and turning this oil into cloth releases a whole lot of toxins into the surroundings.     

Nevertheless, most of our garments are fabricated from polyester due to how low cost it’s to make. In the event you test a clothes label, likelihood is it’ll include a certain quantity of polyester in it. 

Polyester is non-biodegradable, which means it will possibly take tons of of years to decompose in landfills.

Its widespread use in quick vogue exacerbates the problem, as discarded clothes usually find yourself as long-lasting waste. Not so enjoyable truth: We’ve got sufficient garments on the planet proper now to for the following six generations!

what’s recycled polyester? 

Recycled polyester, also known as rPET, is made by repurposing current plastic waste, reminiscent of used PET bottles or discarded fishing nets. This course of reduces the necessity for virgin uncooked supplies and diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans. 

The manufacturing of rPET makes use of considerably much less power in comparison with virgin polyester and leads to decrease greenhouse fuel emissions. It’s a step in direction of a round financial system, the place supplies are reused moderately than discarded. 

Kayaness, a sustainable interval firm I co-founded with Shelby Orme, makes use of recycled polyester. The interval underwear is made utilizing moral manufacturing and undergoes rigorous testing for security. 

Plus, interval underwear is reusable and helps hold a whole lot of single-use interval merchandise out of landfills (the typical pad incorporates 4 plastic luggage price of plastic in it!).

RELATED: How to Use Period Underwear: The Ultimate Guide to Period Panties

There may be a lot plastic on this planet — we must be turning it into one thing. In actual fact, we shouldn’t be utilizing any virgin plastic! In any case, essentially the most ecofriendly plastic is the one which already exists. 

And plastic is barely recycled 5-6% of the time, down from 9%. If we wish to see that recycling charge go up, the most effective factor we are able to do is assist manufacturers that make the most of recycled supplies.

is recycled polyester materials? 

Compared to virgin polyester, sure, recycled polyester is an efficient materials.

RPET repurposes plastic waste, reminiscent of PET bottles, decreasing the necessity for virgin assets and diverting waste from landfills and oceans.

It requires considerably much less power (59% much less to be actual) to supply in comparison with virgin polyester.

Moreover, rPET retains the sturdiness and flexibility of virgin polyester, making it appropriate for a variety of purposes.  

does recycled polyester launch microplastics? 

Sure, recycled polyester does launch microplastics. Like virgin polyester, it sheds tiny plastic fibers throughout washing and put on.

These microplastics can enter waterways and contribute to environmental air pollution. Whereas rPET reduces the necessity for brand spanking new plastic manufacturing, addressing the problem of microplastic air pollution stays a problem for each recycled and virgin artificial materials. 

can recycled polyester be washed? 

Sure, recycled polyester could be washed, and it’s usually straightforward to look after. It may be machine-washed, but it surely’s really useful to make use of chilly water and a mild cycle to protect the material’s high quality.  

For instance, Kayaness (constructed from recycled polyester) could be machine-washed on delicate in chilly water with a light detergent. Simply be sure that to air dry them!  

To reduce microplastic shedding with polyester materials, think about using a washing bag designed to seize fibers or washing much less continuously. At all times test the care label for particular directions. 

is recycled polyester cool in summer time? 

Recycled polyester is light-weight and moisture-wicking, which can assist hold you dry in sizzling climate.

Nevertheless, it’s much less breathable than pure fibers like cotton or linen, which makes it much less perfect for staying cool in summer time.

It’s a better option for activewear or conditions the place moisture wicking is a precedence, however for final breathability and luxury, pure materials may be preferable. 

which is extra sustainable? 

When it comes to polyester vs. recycled polyester, you could be questioning which is extra sustainable. Recycled supplies are all the time going to be extra sustainable than virgin supplies.  

Listed below are the important thing variations. 

environmental influence: 

• Virgin polyester depends on non-renewable fossil fuels and contributes to useful resource shortage. 

• Recycled polyester reduces plastic waste and conserves assets, making it a extra sustainable possibility. 

power and water consumption: 

• Producing recycled polyester makes use of about half the power required for virgin polyester. 

• The extraction of virgin uncooked supplies and manufacturing them into single use gadgets makes use of up water. Recycling reduces the necessity for supplies, thus making a smaller water footprint. 

sturdiness and high quality: 

• Each supplies are sturdy, however recycled polyester presents comparable efficiency whereas being extra eco-friendly. 

microplastics: 

• Each virgin and recycled polyester shed microplastics throughout washing, which might pollute waterways. Improvements in cloth expertise are wanted to deal with this difficulty. 

Recycled polyester is the extra sustainable selection. By repurposing current supplies, it reduces the environmental footprint of manufacturing and helps sort out the worldwide plastic waste disaster.

Nevertheless, it’s not an ideal resolution, because it nonetheless sheds microplastics and depends on artificial supplies. Probably the most sustainable selection will all the time be to thrift pure materials and supplies when potential. Or assist sustainable, nontoxic clothing brands.

What are your ideas on recycled polyester? Do you put it to use in your wardrobe? Let me know within the feedback!