Is recycled polyester worth it for corporate clothing?
In most cases, yes. The production of recycled polyester uses 59 per cent less energy than virgin polyester — whilst maintaining the same high quality. The recycled content is verified via GRS or RCS. It is important to note, however, that the environmental benefit only counts if the garment is then worn for a long time.
- Energy savings
- 59 per cent compared with new goods
- Quality
- Full quality with half the resource consumption
- Evidence
- GRS or RCS — recycled content and traceability
- Water consumption worldwide
- 20 per cent of global industrial water use goes towards textile production
What the figure actually means
Recycled polyester is made from existing material rather than from new crude oil. The key difference lies in the energy required: its production uses 59 per cent less energy than that of virgin material.
The most common objection is that recycled material is of poorer quality. This is not the case when it comes to workwear — it offers the same high quality whilst using roughly half the resources.
To put into context why the textile industry bears any responsibility at all in this regard: around 20 per cent of the world’s industrial water is used in textile production. That is reason enough to value textiles rather than simply using them up.
How to tell what the actual recycled content is
The term ‘recycled’ on its own is not proof. It is substantiated by the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) or the RCS (Recycled Claim Standard). Both standards verify the use of recycled plastics and ensure it is traceable.
GRS goes further than RCS in this respect and includes additional criteria. Both are useful for transparent sustainability reporting — the key thing is that a standard is cited at all.
Where recycled polyester makes sense — and where it doesn’t
Recycled fabric is ideal wherever polyester would be the right choice anyway: sportswear, functional shirts, softshells and fleece. Here, you get the same performance with a significantly smaller carbon footprint.
The question is less relevant when it comes to products that are supposed to be made of cotton — in such cases, there are other options, such as GOTS-certified organic cotton.
And one limitation remains: recycled material does not change how long a garment is worn. A recycled T-shirt that is discarded after one season is worse for the environment than a sturdy one that lasts five years.
Frequently asked questions
How much energy does recycled polyester save?
Its production uses 59 per cent less energy than that of virgin material — whilst maintaining the same high quality.
Is recycled polyester any worse than virgin polyester?
Not for use in corporate and sportswear. The aim is to achieve the same high quality whilst using roughly half the resources.
How is the proportion of recycled material verified?
Via the GRS (Global Recycled Standard) or the RCS (Recycled Claim Standard). Both certify the proportion of recycled material and ensure it is traceable.
Which products is recycled polyester suitable for?
Anywhere polyester is suitable: sportswear, functional shirts, softshells, fleece. When it comes to cotton products, there are other options, such as GOTS-certified organic cotton.