Recycled polyester sounds like a hero. Plastic bottles reborn as jackets. Waste turned into fashion. The planet applauds, marketing teams high-five. Reality, as usual, is messier.
Recycled polyester, often referred to as rPET, is created by melting down existing plastic, typically PET bottles, and spinning it into new fibers. On paper, this reduces landfill waste and lowers dependence on virgin petroleum. That part is real. It typically uses less energy and produces fewer emissions than making new polyester from scratch.
But here’s the part brands whisper instead of print.
Most recycled polyester is still plastic. It still sheds microplastics every time you wash it. Those microscopic fibers don’t magically become biodegradable because the bottle had a previous life. They end up in rivers, oceans, and eventually inside living things that did not consent to this experiment.
Then there’s the recycling loop. Polyester is not endlessly recyclable in practice. Many garments made from rPET can’t be recycled again due to dyes, blends, and finishes. So the “circular” story often stops after one spin through the factory.
Another uncomfortable detail: using bottles for clothing can compete with bottle-to-bottle recycling, which is one of the few truly closed loops that already works. Turning food-grade plastic into fashion may look eco-friendly, but it sometimes shifts waste rather than solving it.
So, is recycled polyester useless? No. It’s better than virgin polyester in many cases, especially for performance wear, where natural fibers can’t easily replace it. It makes sense in outerwear, activewear, and technical garments designed to last.
Is it a silver bullet? Definitely not.
Recycled polyester is a partial solution, not a moral absolution. It helps when used honestly, in durable products, with transparent labeling and responsible care guidance. It becomes greenwashing when brands use it as a badge of virtue while still pushing overproduction and short garment lifespans.
The truth sits in the middle, where it usually does, quietly waiting while the marketing shouts.
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