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What is Recycled Polyester Yarn?
lots of the world’s clothes use polyester, and Greenpeace predicts that by 2030, that number will have nearly doubled. Why? One of the primary causes for this is the athleisure trend, which sees a growing number of customers seeking stretchier, more resistant clothing.
The textile industry is no stranger to recycled polyester. This technique and technology have been around since the early 1990s. However, in 2019, most customers have shifted their attention to a world of sustainability and a closed-loop economy. Because we are now significantly more aware of our trash and single-use plastic, this technique for converting PET into recycled polyester is more relevant and necessary than it has ever been.
Polyester manufactured from recycled plastic bottles is known as rPet. It’s an excellent technique for keeping plastic out of landfills. Recycling polyester uses a lot less energy and produces a lot less CO2.
Polyester can be recycled in two different ways: mechanically and chemically. This process can only be repeated a few times before the fiber loses its quality. Plastic molecules are broken down and reformated into yarn by chemical recycling. Although it is more costly, this method preserves the original fiber’s quality and enables limitless recycling.
Recycled polyester is an excellent choice for our wardrobe. However, we must keep in mind that it is still non-biodegradable and takes years to decompose once discarded. It continues to emit plastic microfibers.
What are the steps involved in the production process of recycled polyester?
- The PET bottles are collected and processed in a recycling facility, where they are sanitized, cleaned thoroughly, dried, and the labels are removed. After that, the bottles are color-coded (For producing white polyester yarn – clear bottles, for green polyester yarn – green bottles).
- The bottles are placed in a grinder and pulverized into small bits.
- To eliminate any moisture, the fragments are heated and dried.
- To turn the dry fragments into a liquid, they are pushed through heated pipes. A dye plate with tiny holes is used to filter the liquid.
- After that, the filaments are stiffened and pooled before being passed via air rollers.
- The yarn is spooled and stretched by the machine.
- The yarn is then colored, formed into bundles, and ready for weaving.
The environmental benefits of manufacturing recycled polyester are significant.
Recycled PET uses around 90% less water than virgin polyester, and the process of turning PET into recycled polyester utilizes a fraction of the energy required to make regular polyester. In reality, less energy is used between 33% and 53%—a compelling argument for using recycled PET textiles.
What matters is that PET is recycled to make the textiles, which keeps it out of the garbage. Increasing the use of recycled polyester decreases reliance on petroleum (no new petroleum is required to produce recycled polyester – RPET).
Is recycled polyester sustainable?
It’s necessary to understand that polyester is an artificial synthetic substance made up of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, a common form of plastic. We come across it in various forms throughout the day, from bottled soft drinks to hand soap dispensers to food packaging. Our recycled polyester is a certified and ecological alternative to virgin polyester, saving energy and water while emitting fewer greenhouse gases.
We don’t stop there: our recycled polyester is certified by the GRS (Global Recycling Standard). Any product that meets the Global Recycled Standard comprises at least 20% recycled material. Traceability, environmental principles, social criteria, chemical composition, and labeling are all required to be certified at each manufacturing stage.
Is it safe to use recycled polyester?
When we consider polyester as a type of plastic, we may wonder if it’s safe to put it in contact with our largest organ, the skin. According to the most recent scientific studies, there is no proof that recycled polyester is hazardous or harmful to human health.
What is the price of recycled polyester?
Due to the larger production volume of virgin polyester, recycled polyester costs more. However, as international demand grows due to eco-conscious clients like you, costs are expected to level out, encouraging more businesses to make the right decision and choose the sustainable alternative, as we do here.
What are some of the benefits of recycled polyester?
Clothing made from recycled polyester provides a variety of benefits.
To begin with, because polyester accounts for more than half of the fibers used in the textile and garment industries, replacing it with a recycled alternative will immediately reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The introduction of a popular non-virgin option will positively influence future energy requirements. This will be used to assist brands in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the supply chain.
Second, recycled polyester contributes to reducing seismic waste in the fashion sector, which discards approximately 48 million mt of clothing each year. It’s a natural method to locate value in the trash, fostering good recycling habits. It also presents them with the unique possibilities of environmentally friendly materials.
Another advantage is that recycled polyester emits less carbon than virgin polyester. According to a 2017 study, manufacturing rPET produces 79 percent fewer carbon emissions than creating new PET. As a result, adopting recycled polyester might assist firms in meeting their climate goals and contributing to the 2015 Paris Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals.
Transforming garbage into fabric is one approach to help reduce the 8 million tons of plastic that end up in our seas each year. This might aid in protecting marine habitats and undersea creatures, which are frequently threatened by plastic waste.
Finally, using recycled fibers such as recycled polyester may stimulate collaboration and transformation within the fashion sector. For example, the Textile Exchange challenged over 50 brands in 2019 to use 25% more recycled polyester by 2020, including Adidas, GAP, and H&M. They accomplished this ahead of schedule and saw a 36 percent increase in usage. More organizations are embracing the effort, pledging to recycle 20% of all worldwide polyester by 2030, which is a critical aim for reducing emissions and eliminating dependence on fossil fuels.
Recycled polyester has the same performance, durability, and strength as virgin polyester but with a lesser environmental effect. That’s indeed a massive gain for everyone, including Mother Nature.
