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Short answer
Recycled polyester, often called rPET, is polyester made from used plastic bottles or textile waste instead of new oil-based raw material. Once spun and woven, it looks and performs much like ordinary polyester: it resists fading, shrinking and mould and suits curtains and upholstery. The claims to check are how much of the fabric is recycled and whether that is certified, for example to the Global Recycled Standard.
How recycled polyester is made
- Mechanical recycling: clear plastic bottles are collected, cleaned, shredded into flakes, melted and extruded into new fibre. This is the most common route.
- Chemical recycling: polyester is broken down into its building blocks and rebuilt, which can handle textile waste and gives fibre close to virgin quality.
The fibre is then spun and woven exactly like ordinary polyester.
How it compares with virgin polyester
| Recycled polyester | Virgin polyester | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Used bottles or textile waste | New petrochemical feedstock |
| Look and feel | Much the same once woven | The reference |
| Performance | Similar: fade, shrink and mould resistance | The reference |
| Colour range | Wide; very pale whites can be harder from mixed sources | Wide |
| Cost | Often a little higher | The reference |
Recycled polyester is still polyester: it does not biodegrade, and like all synthetics it can shed microfibres when washed. Its main benefit is reusing existing plastic instead of making new.
What to ask a supplier
- What percentage is recycled? "Contains recycled polyester" can mean a small share.
- Is it certified? Standards such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) verify recycled content through the supply chain.
- Does it meet the same specification? Rub count, light-fastness and any fire standard should be tested on the recycled fabric itself.
Good to know
For hotel and commercial projects with sustainability targets, ask for the certificate and the test reports together, so the recycled fabric is proven to meet the same performance specification.
Recycled polyester for curtains and sofas
Because it behaves like ordinary polyester, recycled polyester suits the same uses: sheers, dimouts, blackouts, velvets and upholstery weaves. Choose it by the same rules as any curtain or sofa fabric, then use the recycled content as a deciding factor. See Polyester Curtain Fabric and How to Choose Sofa Fabric.
Ask the JOTEX team about recycled-content options for a project; the catalogue lists each collection's composition, and certified recycled content must be confirmed per collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is recycled polyester?
Polyester made from used plastic bottles or textile waste instead of new raw material. It is often called rPET.
Is recycled polyester as good as normal polyester?
Once woven, it looks and performs much the same: it resists fading, shrinking and mould and suits curtains and upholstery.
Is recycled polyester eco-friendly?
It reuses existing plastic instead of making new, which is its main benefit. It is still polyester, so it does not biodegrade and can shed microfibres when washed.
How do I know a fabric is really recycled?
Ask for the recycled percentage and a certificate, such as the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) or Recycled Claim Standard (RCS).
Can recycled polyester be fire-retardant?
It can, but fire performance must be tested on the recycled fabric itself. Ask for the test report to the standard the project requires.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.