Recycled Cotton (RC)

Recycled Cotton (RC) is cotton fibre that has been recovered from:

  1. Pre-consumer waste – cutting scraps, yarn waste, spinning waste
  2. Post-consumer waste – used clothing, discarded textiles

These waste fibres are mechanically or chemically recycled to create new yarns and fabrics, reducing landfill and resource consumption.

It is a cornerstone of circular fashion and widely adopted across Europe.

Types of Recycled Cotton
1. Pre-Consumer Recycled Cotton
  • Comes from manufacturing waste
  • High purity
  • More consistent quality
  • Better fibre length
2. Post-Consumer Recycled Cotton
  • Comes from worn/discarded garments
  • Requires sorting + decoloring
  • Slightly shorter fibres
  • Most environmentally impactful
  • Strong sustainability narrative
3. Blended Recycled Cotton Often blended with:
  • Virgin cotton
  • Recycled polyester
  • Organic cotton
  • Hemp
  • Lyocell to maintain strength and improve yarn quality.
Key Fibre Properties

Fibre Structure

  • Shorter fibres due to mechanical shredding
  • Slightly lower tensile strength versus virgin cotton
  • Often blended for enhanced durability

Texture

  • Soft, slightly matte
  • Natural cotton feel
  • More authentic, organic look
  • Slight neps and slubs (adds character)

Handfeel

  • Comfortable, breathable, skin-friendly
  • Similar to virgin cotton when blended well

Performance Features

Breathability

  • Excellent airflow
  • Perfect for summer and trans-season wear

Moisture Absorption

  • Naturally absorbent
  • Wicks sweat
  • Comfortable in humid climates

Hypoallergenic

  • Gentle on skin
  • Suitable for sensitive skin

Lightweight

  • Depending on blend, can be very lightweight and soft

Durability

  • Depends on blend %
  • Pure RC can be weaker, but blends retain durability of virgin cotton
Environmental & Sustainability Attributes

Circularity

  • Converts textile waste into new fibre
  • Reduces landfill burden
  • Promotes circular economy
  • Zero waste production at mill level

Water Savings

  • Saves up to 7,000–10,000 litres of water per kg compared to virgin cotton
  • Almost no irrigation required
  • Dye savings if using pre-colored waste

Reduced Chemical Use

  • No pesticides or fertilizers
  • No new farming required
  • Less dye usage if using colour-sorted scraps

Low Carbon Footprint

  • Eliminates farming emissions
  • Lower overall energy footprint
  • Significant reduction in environmental impact

Fibre Cycling

  • Recycled multiple times depending on fibre length
  • Extends life of cotton fibre significantly

Zero Microplastic Pollution

  • Pure RC = no microplastics
  • Safe for soil and water systems

Waste Diversion

  • Conservatively, 1 T-shirt = ~200g of waste saved from landfill
Fabric Characteristics

Appearance

  • Slightly heathered
  • Soft, natural tones
  • Matte finish
  • Slubs add a handcrafted, sustainable aesthetic
Drape
  • Depends on blend
  • Pure RC: structured
  • RC + Tencel: fluid
  • RC + organic cotton: balanced

Dyeing

Dyeability

  • Works well with:
    • Reactive dyes
    • Azo-free dyes
    • Pigment dyes
  • Pre-colored recycled cotton may not need dyeing at all
Compostability & End-of-Life
  • If 100% recycled cotton:
    • Home compostable: 3–6 months
    • Industrial compost: 2–4 weeks
  • Breaks down into natural cellulose
  • No toxins
  • No microplastics
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