In a world where the textile industry is one of the most polluting on the planet, recycling textile materials becomes a priority. Among the most demanded and used materials, cotton stands out both for its versatility and for the environmental impact associated with its cultivation. Hence the importance of recycled cotton and recovered cotton, two alternatives that are revolutionizing fashion and sustainable industrial processes.
What is recycled cotton?
Recycled cotton comes from post-industrial textile scraps (factory leftovers) or post-consumer sources (used clothing). This material undergoes a shredding and regeneration process to be transformed again into fibers usable for new fabrics. Unlike mechanical plastic recycling, harsh chemical agents are not used in cotton recycling, making it a more eco-friendly option.
What differentiates it from recovered cotton?
Recovered cotton mainly refers to textile waste collected before disposal, such as cuttings from tailoring workshops or production scraps. Although both terms are often used interchangeably, recovered cotton focuses more on the collection and sorting phase, while recycled cotton implies material transformation.
What about recycled cotton-polyester?
An increasingly used combination is recycled cotton-polyester blend. This hybrid takes advantage of cotton’s qualities (comfort, breathability) and recycled polyester (durability, elasticity), resulting in long-lasting and sustainable fabrics used in sportswear, uniforms, or even home textiles.
Environmental and social benefits
Cotton recycling drastically reduces the use of water, pesticides, and energy. It also prevents the accumulation of textile waste in landfills and promotes circular economy models, where what was once waste becomes a valuable resource.
