Recycled Fabric: Something You Need To Know

01 Introduction

Clothing and the fabrics used to make clothes are a central part of the everyday life of humans. The problem is that we produce far too much of it, and we use many resources to do it. Likewise we create an enormous amount of waste going about our day-to-day lives.

What if we could produce clothes using these waste products? We keeps these waste materials, often plastics, in circulation, saving them from landfills and reducing virgin resources. Not a perfect circular model but a start at least. The more material we can repurpose and keep in use, the better for us and the earth.

Many recycled fabrics are made from our trash. There are fabrics made using discarded water bottles, fishing nets, and even food waste. Not to mention the reprocessing of cotton and other natural fibers.

Read on to learn more about recycled fabrics and their role in a more sustainable fashion industry.

02 What is recycled fabric?

Recycled fabric is a fabric that has been made from waste material that is reprocessed into new fibers and then spun into new yarns and fabrics.

Synthetic fibres like Polyester and Nylon are the most used and popular in the world. Yet fabrics made of regular polyester fibre are not environment friendly as the production of fabric involves huge quantities of water, chemicals and use of fossil fuels. The raw materials as well the byproducts are toxic, pollute water and air and cause several health issues. Hence companies have found ways to create polyester out of recycled plastic bottles or even recycled polyester fabric.

03 Common types of recycled fabrics.

● Recycled polyester

Using recycled instead of virgin polyester reduces our dependency on fossil fuels, requires less energy, and produces fewer carbon emissions. Recycled polyester fiber is a smart, sustainable fabric option for eco-conscious consumers. The fabric quality is almost identical with usual polyester.

Polyester is used to make clothing, shoes, home furnishing, bags and luggage, car accessories and ropes, and fishing nets.

.durable, quick-drying, and highly resistant to environmental factors, such as water and wind.

.extremely stain resistant – they can only be colored using special disperse dyes

.good at insulating.

.strong – tear and wrinkle resistant.

.reliable and lightweight – retains its shape well and is resistant to shrinking and stretching.

●Recycled nylon

Recycled Nylon has the same benefits as recycled polyester: It diverts waste from landfills and its production uses much fewer resources than virgin nylon (including water, energy and fossil fuel).

Nylon, a strong and lightweight fiber, is one of the most commonly used artificial fibers. Nylon fabric is popular because it does not absorb water, dries quickly, and holds its shape. This is why it is used so often in swimwear. It’s also used in hosiery, gowns, and lingerie. Nylon is strong, elastic, and easy to wash.

04 What are the environmental benefits for Recycled fabrics?

Using RPET to make recycled fabrics helps tremendously in reducing the landfill waste, pollution and energy thus making the environment eco-friendly.

There are many compelling reasons for the recycling of waste from textile products and processes. The resources on this planet are ultimately finite. Thanks to recycled materials, the amount of energy, water, and dye use is reduced from using a product that has already been processed.

The benefits:

● Less Energy required

● Reduce the need for virgin materials

● Supports the Circular Economy

● Reduces Landfill