What Is Recycled Polyester? Is It Sustainable?

Learn what recycled polyester is, whether it's sustainable, and how it compares to virgin polyester. Plus: safety, shrinkage, and our favorite eco-friendly picks.

Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes

Let’s be real, polyester doesn’t exactly scream “eco-friendly.” But what if we told you there’s a version of this synthetic staple that’s not only giving landfill-bound plastic a second life, but doing it with a slightly greener twist?

Meet recycled polyester: a popular choice in the world of sustainable materials that’s worth a closer look.

Polyester is, essentially, a wearable plastic fabric that we love to sweat, swim, and sport in, which isn’t great for our health or the health of the planet. It comes with some very real concerns around pollution, microplastics, and safety.

But, from beach throws to dog toys, recycled polyester is showing up in more and more everyday products. While it’s still polyester, meaning it's still plastic, non-biodegradable, and capable of shedding microfibers, compared to virgin polyester, it dramatically reduces waste, energy use, and fossil fuel dependency.

It raises the questions: Is recycled polyester safe to use? What about the health risks of microplastics? And is it really a greener alternative, or just another feel-good label?

Let’s unpack it all, truthfully, with your values in mind.

First Things First: Is Polyester Recyclable?

Traditional polyester, a petroleum-based plastic (ugh, plastic!), isn’t biodegradable. But the good news? Polyester can be recycled. That’s where recycled polyester comes into play.

There are two main types:

• Mechanically recycled polyester (made by melting down existing plastic like PET bottles)
• Chemically recycled polyester (broken down to its raw materials and re-spun)

Both versions help reduce the demand for virgin plastic, but mechanical recycling is currently more common and accessible.

According to the Textile Exchange, over 14% of global polyester production in 2019 came from recycled sources and the industry is pushing for 45% by 2025.

So, What Is Recycled Polyester?

Recycled polyester (rPET) is made from post-consumer plastic, most often plastic water bottles, old garments, or discarded textiles.

These materials are collected, shredded, melted, and spun into new polyester fibers. The result? A fabric that looks and performs like traditional polyester, but with a lighter footprint.

It’s durable, water-resistant, quick-drying, and wrinkle-proof. That’s why you’ll find it in everything from activewear to outerwear, pet gear, and home goods.

Is Recycled Polyester Safe?

Generally, recycled polyester is considered safe to use, especially in non-food or non-body-contact applications like bags, blankets, and dog leashes.

However, some concerns remain around microplastics. When synthetic fabrics like polyester are washed, they shed tiny plastic fibers that make their way into waterways and oceans, contributing to environmental pollution and potentially entering the food chain. This is true for both virgin and recycled polyester.

According to the European Environment Agency, around 35% of global primary microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic textiles.

There’s also growing concern about microplastic exposure and its potential effects on human health, especially through skin contact or inhalation during wear and washing. While current research is still evolving, studies suggest that long-term exposure to microplastics could pose risks to respiratory and immune health.

To help reduce microplastic pollution, we recommend using a Guppyfriend washing bag, washing with cold water and gentle cycles, and air drying when possible.

Does Recycled Polyester Shrink?

Generally, no, recycled polyester behaves much like its virgin cousin. It’s known for resisting shrinkage, stretching, and wrinkling. That makes it an easy-care option for everyday products.

Still, we always recommend checking care labels. Some recycled blends (like poly-cotton) may behave differently depending on the ratio.

Is Recycled Polyester Sustainable?

Ah, the big question. Put simply, it’s more sustainable then some fabrics (ahem, virgin polyester) and a lot less sustainable then others (think bamboo, hemp, organic cotton…).

Let’s weigh the pros and cons:

Sustainability Pros

• Reduces plastic waste and reuses materials that would otherwise clog landfills or oceans.
• Creating rPET generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions and reduces overall environmental impact compared to traditional polyester.
• According to Common Objective, producing recycled polyester generates 79% less carbon emissions than virgin polyester.
• Reduces dependency on fossil fuels
• Durable and long-lasting, which helps extend product lifespans

Sustainability Cons

• It's still plastic; It's not biodegradable and still sheds microplastics
• Not infinitely recyclable: Each cycle can degrade the fiber quality
• Relies on plastic bottle supply, which could reduce the rate of bottle-to-bottle recycling

So, while recycled polyester isn’t perfect, it’s a solid step forward, especially when paired with responsible sourcing and long-lasting design.

7 Recycled Polyester Products To Try 

1. Recycled Beach Throw

Super soft, stylish, and made with a blend of 100% recycled cotton, acrylic, and polyester.Great for park days, beach hangs, or cozy couch sessions.

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2. Furoshiki Wraps

Sustainable gift wrap that looks amazing and can be reused again and again. Made with up to 100% recycled polyester.

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3. Recycled Dog Waste Bag Dispenser

This recycled polyester pouch makes walkies easy, with a zip pocket, rubber bag dispenser, and a carabiner for easy clipping. Plus, each purchase removes 1 pound of trash from waterways!

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4. Recycled Infinity Dog Leash

Made from recycled polyester tubular cord, this leash is stylish, durable, and waste-conscious.

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5. Octopus Recycled Dog Toy

Yep, your pup is truly in on the sustainability game. This squishy sea creature is made from 80% recycled polyester and cotton (20% virgin polyester). 

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6. (R)evolution, 25L Convertible Carryall

This rugged, water-resistant carryall is made from recycled polyester and nylon, and designed for daily adventures, work commutes, or weekend getaways.

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7. Recycled Chevron Pom Beanie

Stay cozy and on-trend with this thick, beanie made from 100% recycled polyester. The playful pom and colorblock design keeps your look fresh while supporting circular fashion.

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 Final Thoughts

Is recycled polyester perfect? Nope. Are we perfect? Also, nope. But is it better than producing brand-new plastic? Yep. And is taking a step in the right direction better than not doing anything? Absolutely.

At ZeroWasteStore, we’re all about progress over perfection, choosing better options wherever we can, even if they’re not 100% flawless. Recycled polyester isn’t a perfect solution, but if the choice is between an rPET bag and a virgin polyester one, you know which one is better.

As long as we keep producing and consuming plastic, we need innovative ways to deal with it. Recycled polyester is one of the more promising tools we’ve got, especially when paired with thoughtful consumption, smart design, and responsible aftercare.

Want more ways to go green without breaking the bank? Check out our guides:

• Zero Waste Products on a Budget
• Zero Waste Lifestyle Tips

And if you’re diving deep into sustainability, browse the rest of our zero waste blog for more inspo.

Happy eco-shopping!