Recycled Cotton Fabric: Benefits, Opportunities, Pros and Cons

We live in times of change. And it is not just the number of changes (that constantly reshape our environment(s)), it is also the never-seen-before rhythms of their occurrence that make our societies extremely fluid and transformable. Keeping up with everything, even in our nearby surroundings, is an impossible task.

Today, the issues that must be dealt with are numerous and urgent, the problems that must be solved seem insolvable and the call for revolutionary and innovative alternatives is pressing.

Today, sustainability has become – and rightly so – one of the more (if not the most) central subjects in all industries. Consequently, it would be unthinkable for the fashion sector to be absent from this vital discussion.

Today, the adoption of ultra-modern, sustainable production methods, the use of new fibres, recycled and organic materials and the implementation of a framework of circularity are some of the protagonists in all the latest debates concerning the emergence of a greener fashion!

And because big battles are also won with small arms; the humble cotton, due to its popularity, could play a big role in the sustainability race, as the turn to its recycled version can save us huge amounts of energy and reduce waste!

A brief history of cotton: Its different types and its evolution over time

Cotton is a chemically organic textile, which means that it does not contain any synthetic compounds. Cotton fabric is derived from the fibres that surround the seeds of the cotton plant, which emerge in a round, fluffy formation once the seeds are mature.

Cotton has historically been one of the first options when it came to producing clothes of any kind and type. Its versatility and its adjustability to multiple weather conditions make it the best choice for comfortable, resilient, warm, heavy or more lightweight clothing.

Did you know, for instance, that the first evidence of cotton use dates back to 5500 BC at the foot of the Bolan Pass in ancient India, today in Balochistan Pakistan?

It is obvious that since ancient times cotton has been known for its exceptional breathability and lightness, for its softness and for its heat retention attributes. Cotton is also water absorbent, but it dries quickly, a fact that renders it highly moisture wicking and feels like a mixture of silk and wool.

No wonder it has been used non-stop for thousands of years!

What is a recycled cotton blend and what are its benefits?

Recycled cotton is existing cotton fabric that has been converted into cotton yarn and used in the textile and fashion industries. Where does recycled cotton come from? Recycled cotton comes from post-industrial and post-consumer cotton waste and more specifically:

• From discarded textile products or other types of waste like excess material from the production of yarn or fabric
• From used garments
• From upholstery
• From towels and other household items

We have to be cautious though, recycled cotton is not to be confused with organic cotton! What is the difference between recycled and organic cotton? During the production of organic cotton no genetically modified seeds, no harmful chemicals or water-intensive farming techniques are used. Recycled cotton, as we just saw, is sourced exclusively from already existing cotton, which helps us keep waste down and generate minimal impact on the environment.

But how sustainable recycled cotton really is?

Some Pros

• Recycled cotton is a high-quality recycled fibre
• It is a natural material
• It is sustainable and circular (which means less H2O consumption and less CO2 emissions)
• It is more environmentally friendly than organic cotton
• It creates less landfills
• It has RCS & GRS certification

But are there any disadvantages to the use of recycled cotton?

• Although recycled cotton is durable, it has some longevity issues. Due to it being a natural fabric it isn’t tear, or abrasive resistant
• It is not so elastic as other yarn
• Recycled cotton can be expensive due to the resources required for its production
• It is not too resistant if not blended with other types of fibre (100% cotton garments can be damaged due to humidity – mold and fungus)
• Recycled cotton has low wrinkle, heat, and chemical resistance
• Having to separate color and fabric blend can make it a labor-intensive process
• Recycled cotton is prone to be contaminated by other fibres

And now it’s time for a quick quiz!

Q: How many times can cotton be recycled?

A: Cotton can be recycled seven times, but each time it has to be blended with at least 50% virgin fibers and every time cotton fibres are recycled they become thinner and thinner

The opportunities and the future of recycled cotton

Recycled cotton is a very good but not a perfect solution. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the perfect solution, there is no panacea! Even the most sustainable and eco-friendly production method asks for the use of natural resources and demands the investment of human (and sometimes super-human) efforts and forces.

Recycled cotton is a wonderful opportunity, no doubt about it, but it can be taken advantage of to the fullest extent, only as a part of a more general and well-designed, sustainable and ethical strategy.

The use of recycled cotton will make a real difference only if it is combined with up-to-date production techniques, alternative delivery methods and meaningful and educational marketing campaigns. This is why R&D must continue and new approaches to clothing (such as leasing instead of buying) must be put to trial. The future should be founded on pioneering and revolutionary ideas.

The use of recycled cotton in the UK (as in other parts of the world) is a reality and it is on the rise! The wisest thing to do is to profit as much as we can from the momentum it has gained.

But we must never forget that by changing just one thing or that by using just recycled (or organic materials) we will not get closer to something that we could call ideal. A truly sustainable future is about changing everything. Our minds, our modus operandi and why not our dreams and expectations.

Some brands that (do) promote sustainability

Eileen Fisher, Mara Hoffman, TOVE, Conner Ives, Mud Jeans, Plant Faced or Levis and Dockers® disrupt the industry and constantly introduce new ways of thinking and of doing business! They strive to be more sustainable, more equalitarian and eco-friendlier.

The San Francisco casual-wear trendsetters, use techniques that reduce water consumption, make clothes with recycled materials, use their website and social media to disseminate useful information and try to push research and innovation further every day.

Dockers® and any other brand that is really invested in the creation of a better world – for every entity – should not stop fighting until imagination and reality osculate completely!

The fashion industry has only one way to go and just one thing to do! Exploit its force and all its resources in order to metamorphose not only itself but other industries and sectors as well. The time is now; the faster we spread the seed of change the faster we will harvest its fruits!