Recycled Polyester: The eco-responsible alternative to virgin polyester and organic cotton

We spent a long time searching for the best material to incorporate into our mix to reinforce our recycled cotton yarns. (And yes, it's not strong enough to stand on its own, that one!). Recycled polyester, with its strength, durability, and the possibility of local production, emerged as the best choice for us.

There are several alternatives that could be combined with recycled cotton , but what was important to us was offering you clothing made from 100% recycled materials . Because in addition to sounding good, prioritizing recycled materials over virgin materials helps avoid extracting resources from the planet and, at the same time, gives value back to waste that would otherwise be destroyed or, worse, lost in nature.

What are the disadvantages of polyester?

Traditional polyester is widely used in the fast fashion industry due to its low cost and ease of production . However, its popularity leads to significant environmental impacts:

• Produced from petroleum : Polyester is derived from fossil resources, making it a non-renewable material.
• Plastic pollution : As it degrades, it releases microplastics into the environment, which often end up in our oceans.
• Non-biodegradable : Polyester can take hundreds of years to decompose.
• Energy-intensive production : Its manufacture consumes a huge amount of energy and generates CO2 emissions.

What is recycled polyester?

Recycled polyester (or rPET) is made from plastic waste, such as plastic bottles . In short: This waste is collected, cleaned, shredded into small particles, and melted before being spun into polyester yarn usable for making clothing. By reusing these materials, we avoid producing virgin polyester from fossil resources and reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, is incinerated, or pollutes the ocean by giving it a new life.
“Where do we sign?” you’re going to ask me

How many times can polyester be recycled?

Polyester can be recycled multiple times, but each cycle slightly reduces its quality. After several cycles (and it takes quite a bit of effort), the fibers lose their strength . That said, recycling significantly extends the material's lifespan and helps reduce waste. Moreover, in 2020, only 14.7% of polyester produced was recycled, so there's plenty of room for improvement.

Is recycled polyester eco-friendly?

Recycled polyester is clearly a more sustainable alternative to virgin polyester . By reusing existing plastic waste, we avoid the extraction of new fossil resources, and the manufacturing process requires less energy . However, it's not without its drawbacks. Polyester, recycled or not, still releases microplastics when washed, and toxic fumes when incinerated if it isn't recycled again. So, like most materials, it's not perfect.
But we've thought of everything, you know us 🙂 that's why we also offer a Guppyfriend laundry bag on our website . It helps trap microfibers in the water during washing, thus almost completely reducing their release. A simple step that helps counteract the impact of recycled polyester on our oceans.

What is the impact of recycled polyester?

Using recycled polyester helps reduce plastic pollution and CO2 emissions . Compared to producing virgin polyester, it consumes less energy and resources . That said, like all synthetic textiles, it remains energy-intensive, and its environmental impact also depends on how it is manufactured and used .

What are the advantages and disadvantages of recycled polyester fabric?

Benefits	Disadvantages
Durable and resistant It retains the same properties as virgin polyester, but with a lower environmental impact. Waste reduction Reusing plastic prevents it from ending up in landfills or the ocean. Less CO2 emissions Its production consumes less energy and produces fewer emissions than virgin polyester.	Microplastics It always releases microplastics into the water during washing. Energy to recycle it Although it requires less energy than virgin polyester, its recycling remains energy-intensive. Pollution at the end of life It pollutes the environment and emits toxic gases during incineration.

What is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certification?

At Lucid, our recycled polyester is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) certified, the most recognized international label for guaranteeing transparency and preventing greenwashing around recycled textiles . This label doesn't just verify that the materials are recycled (with a minimum of 50% recycled content in the finished product); it also covers the entire production chain: environmental impact, waste management, water and energy consumption, as well as respect for workers' social conditions. Every step, from raw material production to sale, is monitored. For us, this is a serious guarantee of quality, ethics, and commitment to a genuine circular economy approach .
You can find more information about the different textile labels here .

Which is better: organic cotton or recycled polyester?

Often the two most commonly used textile fibers to complement recycled cotton , we too had to choose between these two contenders. Organic cotton is natural, biodegradable, and requires fewer chemicals than conventional cotton . However, its production requires a huge amount of water , which doesn't really solve the major problem with cotton. Recycled polyester , on the other hand, is durable and contributes to reducing plastic waste , but it is not biodegradable and releases microplastic particles when washed .

At Lucid , we chose to use a combination of recycled cotton and recycled polyester because we've always loved the idea of ​​offering clothing with the lowest possible impact, made entirely from repurposed end-of-life waste rather than virgin resources whose production is costly for the planet. This combination isn't perfect, but it allows us to offer durable and eco-responsible clothing while minimizing our environmental impact and sourcing our materials locally.
All our t-shirts , sweatshirts, and hoodies are therefore 100% recycled, made from a mix of recycled cotton and recycled polyester. Feel free to take a look at our clothing .

Sources:

• The Beautiful Footprint. (2025). Material sheet: Recycled polyester.
• WeDressFair. (2025). What is recycled polyester?
• FashionUnited. (2018). Is recycled polyester really eco-friendly?
• Textile Exchange. (nd). Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) + Global Recycled Standard (GRS).
• Ecoconso. (2024). The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) label for recycled textiles . ecoconso.
• Textile Exchange. (2021). Global Recycled Standard (GRS) v4.2 Implementation Manual . Textile Exchange.