| What it is | Polyester from recycled feedstock |
| Sources | Plastic bottles, textile waste |
| Benefit | Less virgin petroleum, energy, waste |
| Performance | Like virgin polyester |
Recycled polyester (rPET) is polyester made from recycled feedstock — most commonly used plastic bottles, and increasingly textile waste — rather than virgin petroleum. It performs essentially like virgin polyester in fabrics while reducing fossil-fuel use, energy, and waste, which is why it’s now widespread in outdoor apparel fleeces, shells, base layers, and insulation.
The common recycled fiber
The synthetic counterpart to recycled nylon; often paired with water-saving solution dyeing and certified under bluesign.
Frequently asked questions
What is recycled polyester?
Recycled polyester, or rPET, is polyester fiber made from recycled materials — most often post-consumer plastic bottles, and increasingly old textiles — instead of newly refined petroleum. It's mechanically or chemically processed into chips, then spun into yarn that behaves like conventional polyester in fabrics.
Is recycled polyester as good as virgin polyester?
For most uses, yes — rPET performs essentially like virgin polyester in terms of strength, wicking, and durability, so fleeces, shells, and base layers made from it work just as well. Quality depends on the feedstock and processing, but high-grade rPET is functionally equivalent to virgin poly.
What are the limitations of recycled polyester?
Bottle-to-fiber recycling diverts bottles from a closed bottle-recycling loop, and rPET, like all polyester, sheds microplastics and is hard to recycle again once blended. It's a meaningful improvement over virgin polyester but not a complete solution, which is why brands also pursue textile-to-textile recycling and natural fibers.
Sources
- Recycled polyester — Textile Exchange
- Recycled materials — Patagonia