Why is recycled polyester not the answer to getting rid of the ocean of plastic and landfill waste?
Unfortunately, popular opinion says recycling polyester is “the solution.” It feels better, right? Using recycled plastic instead of virgin plastic must be an improvement.
About 49% of the world’s clothing is made from polyester, and that number is expected to nearly double by 2030. The rise of athleisure has pushed demand for fabrics that are flexible and long-lasting.
But polyester is not a sustainable fabric. It’s made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the same plastic used in drink bottles. In simple terms, most clothing today is made from fossil fuels.
Recycled polyester, or rPET, is made by melting down used plastic and turning it into new fibre for fabric. For example, about five plastic bottles can make enough fibre for one T-shirt.
It sounds like a win for sustainability. But like most things, it’s not that simple.
Recycled polyester: the pros
It gives plastic a second life
Recycled polyester uses plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill or the ocean. Plastic doesn’t break down. It just stays in the environment for hundreds of years.
Every year, around eight million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean. On top of that, millions more already exist in marine environments. If this continues, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. That’s not something we can ignore.
It uses less energy
Recycled polyester performs almost the same as virgin polyester, but it uses around 59% less energy to produce. It can also reduce carbon emissions by about 32%.
It also reduces the need to extract more oil and gas to make new plastic. So yes, it is better in some ways.
Recycled polyester: the cons
Recycling plastic is not endless
Most clothing isn’t made from just one fibre. It’s often a mix, which makes recycling harder.
Even when polyester is recycled on its own, it can’t be recycled forever.
There are two main ways it’s done:
Mechanical recycling breaks plastic into small chips, melts it, and turns it back into fibre. But each time this happens, the fibre gets weaker. This often means new virgin polyester still needs to be added to hold quality.
Chemical recycling breaks polyester back down into its original building blocks so it can be reused. This is closer to “true recycling,” but it’s expensive and not widely used.
Neither option is a perfect loop.
It still has environmental costs
Recycling sounds clean, but the process still has impact.
Mechanical recycling can create uneven fibre colours — some batches come out bright white, others more yellow. To fix this, extra bleaching or re-dyeing is often needed.
That means more water, more energy, and more chemicals. So even recycled polyester can still come with a heavy footprint.
It still creates microplastics
Recycled polyester does not solve the microplastic problem.
Every time we wash synthetic clothing, tiny plastic fibres are released into the water system. A study from Plymouth University found that a single wash can release over 700,000 microplastic fibres.
These fibres are so small they pass through water systems and end up in rivers, oceans, and even food chains.
Using a microfibre filter bag can help reduce this, but it doesn’t remove the problem completely.
But don’t give up hope...
Our no-stress #NOPLASTIC tips for 2026
- Don’t buy water in plastic bottles. In Australia, tap water is safe. Use a refillable bottle and make it a habit.
- Choose natural fibres when you can — cotton, linen, hemp, wool — or buy second-hand.
- Shop local for fruit and veg and avoid plastic-wrapped supermarket produce where possible.
- Try refill milk options like glass bottles or tap systems — it often tastes better too.
- Carry reusable shopping bags, so you’re never caught out.
- Use reusable containers instead of cling wrap or plastic bags for lunches.
- Switch out breakable plastic items like pegs for long-lasting alternatives.
- Use a keep cup for coffee — buy once, reuse every day.
- Choose bar soap instead of bottled body wash.
Start small. One change at a time is enough. If everyone changed just one thing, it adds up fast.