About Recycled Textiles
Recycled textiles are apparel fabrics made from reused fibres — either mechanically recycled (fabric scraps are shredded and re-spun) or chemically recycled (polymers are depolymerised and re-polymerised). Recycled polyester (rPET) from PET bottles was commercialised in the mid-1990s (Patagonia made the first PET fleece jacket in 1993); since then the process has become the industry standard. According to Textile Exchange, rPET fibres already accounted for ~13-14 % of global polyester production in 2023.
Facts:
- Introduced: rPET fibres commercially from ~1993 (Patagonia, Polartec); GRS certification since 2008
- Main processes: mechanical recycling (shredding + spinning) and chemical recycling (depolymerisation)
- Sources: PET beverage bottles (rPET), textile waste (pre-/post-consumer cotton), recycled wool
- Conversion: ~100,000 PET bottles per tonne of rPET fibre
- Key certifications: GRS (Global Recycled Standard, ≥50 % recycled content) and RCS (Recycled Claim Standard, ≥5 %)
- Global rPET market share: ~13-14 % of polyester production (Textile Exchange 2023)
- Wikipedia: Polyester recycling (en.wikipedia.org) · Plastic recycling
- Certifying bodies: Textile Exchange GRS · OEKO-TEX Made in Green
What are recycled textiles? Definition and processes
Recycled textiles are apparel textiles whose fibres are partly or entirely obtained from recycled raw materials. Three processes dominate the market:
Recycled polyester (rPET) from PET bottles
Used PET bottles are collected, cleaned, shredded and melted into new polyester fibres. One tonne of rPET replaces around 100,000 PET bottles from the waste stream. The finished fibre is visually and tactilely indistinguishable from new polyester, and the CO2 footprint is significantly lower.
Recycled cotton (pre- or post-consumer)
Fabric scraps from textile production (pre-consumer) or used textiles from collection (post-consumer) are shredded into fibres and spun into new yarns. Since fibres become shorter during recycling, recycled cotton is usually combined with other fibre types (organic cotton, rPET) to achieve the necessary stability.
Recycled nylon (rNylon) from fishing nets
Fishing nets recovered from the sea are processed into new nylon fibres. This variant is relevant in the sport-performance segment, less so in the classic tee market.
Important certifications are:
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard) — the leading certification for recycled content. Audits recyclate share, supply chain and social minimum standards.
- RCS (Recycled Claim Standard) — simplified variant, audits only the recyclate share.
Benefits of recycled textiles for companies and brands
Visible CO2 reduction
Recycled polyester reduces the CO2 footprint by 30 to 50 per cent compared to new polyester. Recycled cotton saves water and pesticide inputs of new cotton production. Both materials are directly creditable in CO2 balances and ESG reports.
Modern brand image
Recycling textiles convey a modern, solution-oriented image. Tech start-ups, modern fashion labels and progressive sports clubs actively position themselves with recycled crew-wear lines.
Functionally equivalent
A modern recycled polyester tee is visually and tactilely indistinguishable from a new polyester tee. Functional properties (breathability, stretch, dryness) are preserved, often with an additional performance look thanks to slightly mottled yarns.
Compatibility with organic components
Many recycled textiles combine rPET with organic cotton (e.g. Stanley/Stella RE line). This way you combine recycling and organic arguments in one product — a strong CSR double-punch.
Supply chain transparency
GRS-certified textiles document recyclate share and supply chain in a verifiable way. This is important for supply chain due diligence (LkSG) and ESG reports.
Available recycling brands at ShirtStore
Stanley/Stella RE line
Stanley/Stella has established the RE line as a recycling answer. The most important models: RE-Creator tee, RE-Cruiser hoodie, RE-Stroller sweater. Materials typically consist of 60 per cent recycled polyester (from PET bottles) and 40 per cent recycled organic cotton. Slightly mottled aesthetic, soft handfeel, excellent print quality.
Continental Clothing — Recycled line
Continental has its own recycling line from 100 per cent recycled polyester (rPET from PET bottles). Tees and hoodies in modern cut, popular in the tech and fashion-label segment.
Fruit of the Loom — selected recycled models
FOTL offers individual recycling models, especially in the hoodie and sweater range. Recycling shares are mostly pre-consumer from the brand's own production. The most economical recycling option for medium to large runs.
B&C, Hakro and others
B&C and Hakro also have individual recycled models in their ranges. On request we deliver the currently available recycling assortment of these brands.
Use-cases — who chooses recycled textiles?
Tech start-ups with sustainability story
Tech start-ups choose Stanley/Stella RE-Cruiser hoodies or Continental Recycled as crew wear for hackathons, employee onboarding and event clothing. The recycling story matches the progressive brand positioning.
Ecological club textiles
Sports clubs with sustainability ambition reach for recycled shirts and training textiles. Especially running and outdoor clubs combine recycled performance fabrics with their ecological self-image.
Fashion labels with circular-economy ambition
Fashion labels with circular-economy positioning use recycled textiles as material standard for their collections. The Stanley/Stella RE line is particularly popular here, because aesthetics and print quality match the labels' premium ambition.
Companies with plastic-reduction initiatives
Companies with active plastic-reduction goals (business clients) choose rPET textiles as a visible symbol. Recycled employee hoodies are featured in CSR reports and newsletters as concrete measures.
Universities and public institutions
Recycled textiles are also on the rise as a tender standard in education and public sectors.
What makes ShirtStore special
- From 1 piece — we finish single units too; quantity discounts start at 25 pieces.
- Made in EU — finishing in our own facility, fair conditions.
- 24-48h dispatch — order by 2 pm on weekdays, in production the next day.
- Trusted Shops verified — buyer protection and money-back guarantee.
Ready for your recycled textile order?
Request recycling quote → · Open configurator →
ShirtStore is your partner for recycled textiles and sustainable textile finishing across Germany and Europe. We supply recycled textiles from the most important brands — Stanley/Stella RE line with RE-Creator tees, RE-Cruiser hoodies and RE-Stroller sweaters from rPET and recycled organic cotton, Continental Clothing Recycled line from 100 per cent rPET, selected recycling models from Fruit of the Loom, B&C and Hakro — and finish directly in our EU facility with screen printing, digital printing (DTG), DTF, embroidery and flex printing. Recycled polyester from PET bottles reduces the CO2 footprint by 30 to 50 per cent compared to new polyester; recycled cotton from fabric scraps and post-consumer textiles saves water and pesticide inputs. With GRS and RCS certifications we transparently document recyclate share and supply chain — suitable for ESG reports, CO2 balances and supply chain due diligence. Tech start-ups with sustainability story, fashion labels with circular-economy ambition, ecological sports clubs, universities, public institutions and CSR-driven corporates choose recycling textiles as a visible statement. Recycled textiles ShirtStore — from 12 PET bottles to your next crew hoodie.
Further Reading
- Polyester — Wikipedia — fibre properties and recycling processes
- Textile Exchange — Global Recycled Standard (GRS) — international standard for recycled textile fibres
- OEKO-TEX Made in Green — harmful-substance and sustainability label for recycled fabrics
