Most recycled polyester is rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate), converting postconsumer plastic waste, such as plastic bottles, into a fiber that can become bags, jackets or other products. But textile-to-textile recycling of polyester poses a bigger challenge, particularly when dealing with the cotton-poly blends so popular in the printwear market.
Despite the challenges, several companies are taking steps to scale up closed-loop recycling systems. Here are a few recent developments on the apparel recycling front.
